Cropredy weather report

“People are getting worried because they hear about other festivals being called off,” says Simon, who has played in every one of Fairport’s 32 festivals to date.
“But cancellation is not an option.
“We have known much worse weather than this: five years ago we had two foot of water by the stage and hay bales floating into hedgerows just a few days before we opened.
“We know the site and we have extra hard core on stand-by to keep the traffic moving.
“It will happen.”
Early August without Cropredy would not only be a blow to the finances of the band, who this year celebrate their 45th anniversary, it would also be a disaster for the villagers, who now put on a buzzing fringe festival at the same time as the real thing.
The Brasenose pub has taken off as a year-round music venue as a result of Cropredy and, even if you don’t fancy forking out for a ticket for the main event, a visit to the fringe to soak up the atmosphere, is highly recommended.
“It’s great that youngsters have places like the Brasenose to get their first taste of playing in public,” says Simon.
“Some bands, like ahab, have made it to the main stage, having started off down the road, and that really marks the symbiotic relationship between ourselves and the locals.”
The headline acts at Cropredy this year include Big Country, Dennis Lacorriere, Richard Thompson, The Saw Doctors and Bellowhead.
Simon is particularly looking forward to seeing Joan Armatrading, playing with her band and Squeeze, whom he has never seen live.
He is also keen to see the little known bands who unexpectedly get the field rocking.
“It happened a few years ago with Legend, a wonderful reggae band, who we have invited back for the Thursday this year,” says Simon.
“And make sure you catch Larkin Poe, playing their kind of song-driven bluegrass.
Ashley Hutchings got excited about them, which is rare, and they are fronted by a pair of song-writing sisters from Georgia, who are also fantastic singers and instrumentalists.”
Visit www.fairportconvention.com for programme and ticket latest.
FRED REDWOOD