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First established in 1965 by Paul Rayment, Philip Abrams, George Scurfield, and Ken Woollard, the Cambridge Folk Festival was envisioned as a celebration of folk music and a means to preserve its cultural heritage. Since then, the festival has grown to become a cornerstone of the folk music scene, drawing renowned artists such as Joan Baez, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, and Mumford & Sons.

The decision follows financial losses incurred during the 2024 edition, reflecting broader struggles faced by music festivals across the UK. Rising production costs, the lingering economic impact of Brexit, and the cost-of-living crisis have led to the cancellation of over 71 independent festivals over 2024 alone. Organisers are calling for government support, lower VAT rates, and improved insurance schemes to help the industry recover. Despite these difficulties, demand for major festivals like Glastonbury remains strong, offering hope for a stronger economic future for smaller independents as well.

Despite the disappointment of the 2025 cancellation, organisers remain hopeful for the festival’s future. The council has emphasised its commitment to exploring innovative approaches that will allow the festival to return stronger in 2026. In a statement on the festival’s website they suggested that “throughout 2025 the festival will continue to support the folk community with a series of locally based events throughout Cambridge, with other initiatives to support local emerging youth and folk artists.”

They can’t afford to run a folk music festival which everyone loves, but they can afford £162m for a lame-ass busway which nobody needs or really wants https://t.co/3d6imzqvRD

— Mike Scialom (@CambsOpenMedia) January 19, 2025

Fans and artists alike have expressed their concerns over the festival’s hiatus, with many taking to social media to share their sadness, support, and hopes for its revival. As the folk music community faces mounting challenges, the Cambridge Folk Festival’s potential comeback in 2026 will be one to keep an eye on.

‘’City Federal Building’’ holds a personal message for the band’s leader, Paul Janeway, as he shares a message to his daughter within the lyrics. “Don’t let them take your Holy Ghost. Don’t let them take what’s precious to you. Find meaning, and don’t let people take whatever that meaning is,” Janeway says. “There is sometimes a desire that you want your child to grow up to do what you do, but ultimately you just want them to find happiness and some sort of meaning.”

The brand new single follows previously released songs, ‘’Sea Star’’ and ‘’Lovely Love Song.’’ Their forthcoming album, Angels In Science Fiction, was written within just a few weeks after Paul Janeway found out about his wife’s pregnancy with his daughter, Marigold. The band leader come up with the idea for the album as he thought about his then-unborn daughter, as the collection of songs is a series of letters to his daughter.

Janeway said, “A few people told me it would be a good idea to write letters to my yet to be born daughter before she arrived into the world, That is what Angels In Science Fiction is. Themes throughout the album are faith, nature vs nurture, anxiety and beauty. This is a record I would have written whether I did this for a living or not. I don’t know if those records come along all the time.’’ 

Angels In Science Fiction was produced by Matt Ross-Spang and was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, at Sam Phillips Recording Studio. The new album follows on from St. Paul and The Broken Bones 2022 album, The Alien Coast. As the band prepare for the release of their album, they have a set of tour dates scheduled for throughout the year. St. Paul and The Broken Bones will embark on a tour around the U.S, Europe and Australia this year, including appearances at the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival and Australia’s Bluesfest. The band also have UK tour dates scheduled for this summer, including multiple appearances at the Cambridge Folk Festival.

St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Angels In Science Fiction Track List

1. Chelsea

2. City Federal Building 

3. Magnolia Trees

4. Sea Star

5. Heat Lightning

6. Angels In Science Fiction 

7. Wolf in Rabbit Clothes

8. South Dakota

9. Oporto-Madrid Blvd

10. Lonely Love Song

11. Easter Bunny

12. Marigold 

St. Paul & The Broken Bones Scheduled UK Tour Dates

26/07/2023 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds

27/07 – Cambridge Folk Festival – Cambridge

28/07 – Electric Ballroom – London

29/07 – O2 Academy – Bristol

31/07 – Cambridge Folk Festival – Cambridge 

02/08 – Old Fruit Market – Glasgow

To pre-order their new album, Angels In Science Fiction, click here.