Thursday 22 July 2021
THE longed-for sound of live outdoor music in Cambridge comes closer this week, with the line-up announced for free Music in the Parks neighbourhood concerts, organised by Cambridge City Council.
All things brass are well and truly covered, from the summery sounds of the ever-popular Soham Comrades, Cottenham Brass Band, Waterbeach Brass Band, and Royston Town Band, to a new generation in the form of the London-based Brass Funkeys, with their New Orleans-flavoured high energy stage show.
Adding a festival flavour to the line-up are two concerts featuring up-and-coming acts with national recognition, selected by the Cambridge Folk Festival: Thursday’s Band with a spellbinding acoustic set performing original songs steeped in the best folk tradition; acclaimed close harmony duo, Smith & Brewer, creating cool vibes with guitar-driven country rock; Morganway, rising stars of the UK’s Americana scene, who bring striking six-part harmonies and energetic rhythms; and acclaimed trio The Trials of Cato, who have caught the attention of BBC Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe, their last album winning BBC Radio 2’s Folk Award for Best Album in 2019.
These special afternoon concerts are free to the public and will take place in various neighbourhood parks, from Nuns Way in the north of the city to Nightingale Rec in the south, on Sunday afternoons during August and September. They are the perfect opportunity to take a picnic and enjoy a relaxing, music-filled afternoon with friends anMusic in the Parks is generously sponsored by Arm and Vodafone, important supporters of cultural events in Cambridge.
“Vodafone is delighted to be teaming up with Cambridge City Council this summer to bring live music to our Cambridge parks,” says Paul Ryder, Vodafone Regional Manager, East of England.
“Free cultural events are an important part of Cambridge’s identity, and it is great that we can support these events for local residents.”
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Communities, says, “I’m delighted that we are now able to announce the line-up for these events – there are some fantastic acts performing and I’m especially excited that we have been able to partner with the Cambridge Folk Festival for two of them. These concerts are going to be a welcome addition to summer, especially for those people who don’t yet feel comfortable mixing with others indoors.
“I want to give particular thanks to Vodafone and Arm for their generous sponsorship, helping to bring music to many of our parks this summer.”
| Cherry Hinton Hall | 8th August | Royston Town Band |
| Nuns Way Rec, King's Hedges | 15th August |
Thursday's Band Smith & Brewer (with the Cambridge Folk Festival) |
| Coleridge Park | 22nd Aug | Soham Comrades Brass Band |
| Jesus Green | 5th September |
Morganway The Trials of Cato (with Cambridge Folk Festival) |
| King George V Playing Field, Trumpington | 12th September | Cottenham Brass Band |
| Nightingale Rec, Queen Edith's | 19th September | Waterbeach Brass Band |
| Jesus Green | 26th September | Brass Funkeys and the Cambs Youth Jazz Orchestra (with the Cambridge Jazz Festival) |