The Cambridge Rock Festival (CRF) took place this weekend at the Haggis Farm Polo Club in Barton, Cambridge and I was there. The Festival had already been going on for two days by the time I arrived on Saturday. Reliable sources had informed me that the field was quite muddy after the recent rainfall. Luckily it had mostly dried up so I did not get to sport my new wellies.

I arrived around noon and did a quick tour on the festival area. In addition to the three all-weather stages, there were the usual mix of food vendors, trader stalls and beverage sellers. There was even a Arts and Crafts marquee with some interesting exhibitions. I eventually found my way to the Classic Rock Society stage where Emerald Sky was half-way through their set.

Emerald Sky is an all female band and they rocked. I enjoyed what I saw and heard so much that I bought their album. I will review it later but for the first listen through it sounded a bit too produced to my liking. Live they were great and I especially enjoyed the lead-singer’s vocals.

While the next band was getting ready, I got to meet some the other inhabitants of the Fish-tank, Tinyfish’s online forum, a great bunch of guys and girls. While we were chatting amongst ourselves, the band arrived and joined us for a while before getting on with the serious task of unloading the car. As usual Jim won the toss for who got to unload the heaviest gear.

Meanwhile back in the CRS tent, Mother Black Cap had entered the stage. The pedigree of this band is so complicated that they have put a family-tree on their website. And thrust me it is a tree with many branches.

A solid performance which ended in a small cover-version set which the audience thoroughly enjoyed.

The next band, Crime of Passion, made certain members of the audience complain that the bassist was overusing the 5th string of his 5-string bass guitar.

I was too distracted by their look to concentrate on their music. I know rock bands tend to have a certain look but I believe this look has passed it’s expiry date.

I may be cruel, but take a note out of George Thorogood’s book; Get a haircut and get a real job.

Next it was time for some food and some light entertainment from the Sonic Manipulator as the CRS stage took a break before the highlight of my festival experience, Tinyfish, which I will review in my next post.

Stay tuned …