Cambridge Folk Festival 2004

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40 years is a long time for any festival to have been going, particularly considering how many are springing up and disappearing again on a yearly basis nowadays. This year's Cambridge Folk Festival marks four decades of a gathering that has never really wavered in its determination to showcase the best global talent in roots and folk music. The bill is as diverse as any that has graced the three stages at Cherry Hinton Hall. Alongside the usual mix of traditional folk stars, such as Michael McGoldrick, Bert Jansch and Brian McNeill, are big name acts including Jimmy Cliff, Beth Orton and The Divine Comedy. For the first time, the festival's main sponsor is Radio 2, a choice that clearly rankles with some festival goers we speak to, but it's usually more to do with the commercial beer tents than anything musical. Organiser Eddie Barcan seems proud that all the sponsors of the event this year are ethical or from the public sector. Unison provide facilities for the disabled, and the Co-op runs the crèche. Overall control of the festival falls, as usual, to Cambridge City Council, which prove that civic central control can run these things as well as anyone.

Folk and traditional music have had a renaissance lately and, although the festival still refuses to embrace the more avant-garde developments in it, like folktronica for example, it is far from being a 'beer, beards and bells' affair. In part, this is due to the nature of folk festivals. They are inclusive, accepting and comfortable. Subcultures collide everywhere, mirroring the mixture of musical styles in the bill, and throughout the whole weekend there is truly something for everyone. One Friday, the bhangra fusion of The Dhol Foundation unites a diverse crowd in the Radio 2 tent and they groove through a blistering, lively set of thoroughly modern rhythms and drum sounds. Similarly, Amparanoia's hybrid hip-hop-influenced world music goes down a storm on both Friday and Saturday. One fears for some of the revellers in the sweltering Friday heat - so frenzied is their dancing - but it's great to see 70-year-old folkies bopping next to skater kids.

Headlining duties on the first night fall, perhaps more by chance than design, to prolific singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore. "Love is barbed wire and bearhugs", she proudly proclaims, before launching into another fairly moribund tale of how awful love is. PJ Harvey she ain't, but she has some sublimely crafted songs in her repertoire and she is warmly appreciated as she eases us into the festival proper. On Saturday afternoon, two new kids on the block stand out; low-fi acoustician Josh Ritter and American singer Mindy Smith, who has been hotly tipped by none other than the queen of country, Dolly Parton herself. The mixture of traditional music and modern hybrids is kept consistent by a great afternoon set from Devon's Show of Hands, who dangerously straddle both camps. Their blend of traditional folk melody and meter, with modern narratives, is a refreshing blend and they prove that their Radio 2 Award for best live act last year was well-deserved.