Cambridge Folk Festival 2024, Darlingside & Larkin Poe review

Since 1965, the last weekend in July sees Cambridge’s Cherry Hinton Hall become home to around 14,000 people as they come together for four days of traditional folk,  Americana country, blues and roots Music. Performers from all over the world take to one of the stages dotted around the beautiful green park situated 15 minutes from the city centre.

I have been attending regularly since I was a baby and the festival helped shape my taste in music and develop my love for country and Americana.

This year two acts stood out for me.

Darlingside – Saturday 27th July  17.50

Making their debut at Cambridge in 2016,The Massachusetts based Darlingside have evolved and developed from the 4 piece whose close harmonies, accompanied by guitar, mandolin, banjo and at times cello,  were performed around a single microphone to todays  5 piece including drums with 2 new band members.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Darlingside before will know they not only sing the most beautiful indie folk but are incredibly entertaining and funny in between songs. Witty, unapologetic and verging on surreal at times (a good few minutes were dedicated to the topic from brown sauce being the condiment of choice!), you cannot help but feel that you are not one of thousands of people in a crowd but their friend listening to them play in a much more intimate setting.

This was no exception, providing the waiting crowds with a mix of material from the bands extensive back catalogue. I was initially intrigued about the new addition Molly Parden (bass and vocals) as I had not been sure about how a female voice would affect the typical Darlingside sound. I was very pleased to discover quickly that her voice complemented and enhanced the distinctive sound in which Darlingside is known for, Furthermore, the addition of percussion from newcomer Ariel Bernstein adds a new foot stomping depth to the performance.

The crowd were receptive and appreciative and they played songs such as White Horses, Extralife and Hold Head Up High and received raucous applause at the end of each song.

All too soon, the set was over on the main stage but over at the signing tent, Darlingside were there ready to meet their fans. Whilst waiting, I spoke with other fans and asked their opinion on the new line up. The feedback was mainly positive backing up my own thoughts that the new line up was helping the band evolve for the better. However, a couple of people mentioned that they felt the band had changed beyond the old fashioned, simplistic yet beautiful harmonies to a commercial sounding band. I don’t agree, I feel the new line up and way the band stand on the stage is agreeably a change but is a natural progression as Darlingside craft their intense and and haunting music forward.

They treated us to an impromptu acoustic live performance of Extralife with just a guitar to accompany which showcased their natural raw talent and expertise in close harmonies.

All in all, Darlingside proved once again that they are not only ridiculously talented but also incredibly nice people and the Cambridge audience could not get enough.

Larkin Poe Saturday 27th July 22.20

Saturday night on the main stage at Cambridge is arguably one of the best times to perform. Closing this stage has always been a chance to really get the party started.

Grammy award winning sister duo Larkin Poe were this years chosen act to take to Stage One for the closing spot and boy, did it go with a bang!

I saw Larkin Poe when they first performed at Cambridge a few years ago when they were virtually unknown. Fast forward to 2024 and the singer/songwriting and multi instrumentalists are shaping the way of Southern rock and roll.

The stage was lit with blue and white lights and the band came on wearing an all denim ensemble. To say they are slick would be an understatement, these Atlanta born but now living in Nashville sisters have created their own brand of gritty, soulful and blues filled rock with a definite nod to their southern roots.

They virtually lifted the roof of the tent as they played tracks from their recent albums all showcasing the talents of Megan Lovell who can play the lapslide guitar with effortless cool, making it look easy as she provided the most intricate rifts and of Rebecca Lovell who can not only blast a power chord or play in perfect flawless unison but can leap around with energy and headbang without missing a beat.

The set was electric and there were people dancing throughout the arena – even the boring chair people who had been sat planted in the same camped out spot were up on their feet by the end. The heady mix of blues, rock and soul created an atmosphere that vibrated through the festival leaving the audience wanting more.

Larkin Poe were my favourite performance from the weekend and I am excited to see what they will do next as they simply get better each time I see them live!

Review By Becca Tilley