FESTIVAL DIARY - FRIDAY
Meanwhile, the marvellous John Tams and Barry Coope are being interviewed backstage, and there's been a rumoured sighting of a certain Miss Rusby...
The sun is still high and so are our spirits - especially under the canopy of Stage 2 where Whapweasel are whipping up one of this weekend's several ceilidhs par excellence. They've got the gleeful crowd skipping and spinning like only the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Dance Band can.
The space left by the satisfied dancers is filled next for master American songwriter Tom Russell. Looking dapper in smart shades and purple shirt, the great man serves up some fantastic country, blues and folk fare, including a showstopping performance of new song 'Who's Gonna Build Your Wall' - which makes an acerbic and witty protest against his home country's approach to border control and finds plenty of support with the Cambridge crowd.
Back round the corner on Stage 1, local boys-done-good The Broken Family Band are receiving a heroes' welcome for their clever and catchy alt country pop. Frontman Steve Adams is on top form and their fuzzed up version of Leonard Cohen's 'Diamonds In The Mine' is blistering.
Rhythm and blues diva Marcia Ball comes next, preceded by a reputation that she lives up to effortlessly. Supported by a superb brass and rhythm section, she delivers a belting set of powerful singing and hot-blooded keyboard playing without breaking a sweat as the sun goes down.
The anticipation in the crowd is tangible as the time comes for Richard Thompson to take the stage. Dressed in black with his trademark beret, he walks up to the mic and, from the hypnotic opening notes of 'When The Spell Is Broken', hooks the audience for an hour of brilliance. After an awesome version of '1952 Vincent Black Lightning' he's joined for the last few songs by a surprise guest: old friend Christine Collister. The pair's rendition of 'Persuasion' leaves little more to be desired. The crowd goes wild; it's a Cambridge classic. Mike Harding proclaims it to be 'one of the best gigs' he's ever seen.
With the crowd pumped up and expectant, it falls to Malian funk rockers Amadou & Mariam to keep the energy up, and they don't disappoint. From the deep grooves of 'Coulibaly' to the fiery guitar work of 'Toubala Kono', they're an ideal end to a fantastic Friday. Roll on Saturday!
Back to Part 2 of the Festival DiaryRead Saturday's Festival DiaryRead Sunday's Festival Diary 
