Yep. It's been good so far, although not too many Irish traditional bands this year, but plenty of scottish ones which is the next best thing Saw a Basque band last night - they weren't very good - reminded me of that Pimba music you get in Portugal. Then it was the Divine Comedy - they were good. Saw an english group called the Oyster Band - they were excellent, but I find English folk a bit one dimensional. No idea who's on today - I haven't even seen the programme, but at least unlike yesterday, today and tomorrow I'm not working so I will be able to enjoy the whole thing. Seen one or two hippy types and barefooters there - although mostly it's people who've just left their shoes in their tents, I don't think there are many like me who live about 15 minutes walk away so just walk in barefoot. Anyway, s'all good so far!
But of course it is! And it's on tomorrow as well! Decided to leave early - saw Sharon Shannon tonight, who was excellent, but feeling a bit tired today so thought I'd get home and get an early night. I'll be going back there tomorrow of course, which will be the last day. It's been pretty good so far! Saw a Mancunian born of Irish Descent - Mick McGoldrick is his name I think - can't remember for certain, but he and his band were also very good.
Oh I most certainly did, thanks! Sunday evening was great - Asleep at the Wheel (a country band from Texas I think), Ralph McTell (THE LEGEND!), Somebody called Beth Orton , a Portuguese Fadista called Mariza who was truly amazing, and Mick McGoldrick closed the main stage - manchester born Irish flautist - with a large band featuring an excellent Bodhrán player, and a Bongo player both of whom did some amazing solos. Sharon Shannon guested with them as well, which was nice!
I'm afraid I missed them as I'm not a big fan of theirs and I wouldn't consider them a folk band really. My dad was a bit disappointed with the festival this weekend as he reckoned there wasn't enough traditional music. Well what he meant was there wasn't enough Irish traditional music. Now as much as I like Irish traditional music, I'm glad to say I saw a few things from other countries for a change. The Fado was excellent, the Basque music was shit but at least I know what it's supposed to sound like now. The Irish stuff that WAS there was very good - Michael McGoldrick and Sharon Shannon especially. Some good scottish stuff as well which is the next best thing. Was quite impressed with the country acts I saw. The English folk was crap (as English folk always is) although there was a band that I missed called Show Of Hands which I'm told was very good. Beth Orton wasn't very good at all. Ralph McTell was good and I'm pleased I finally got to see him because the last time I remember him being at the Folk Festival, it was the first one I'd been to, I was about 10 years old and I'd fallen asleep as he was on late asking my mum to wake me up for him, which she didn't (doom on her!).
