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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.

The video has since been shared on Paul Simon’s official YouTube channel and be seen below.

Since being posted yesterday, the video has received over 11,000 views. Included in the performance, among many NHS staff members, are messages from music personality Jools Holland and the Welsh actors Rhys Ifans and Mathew Rhys. The song is performed both in English and in Welsh, befitting the opening title card offering “A message of thanks” in both languages.

According to a report by NME, the project was spearheaded by local musicians John Williams (no, not that John Williams) and Manon Llwyd after they had volunteered as artistic directors and producers. Speaking of the finished product, Ms Llwyd wishes “to thank all of the performers for sharing their talents and to Venue Cymru for great teamwork and for trusting us in our work and to Paul Simon for his beautiful song and his support.”

Elsewhere, the general manager of Venue Cymru Sarah Ecob, had this to say: “We can’t wait to get back to shows and events but in the meantime we will continue to support the amazing health and support staff working at Ysbyty Enfys.”

The popularity of this new cover is likely due to its very timely lyrics, and their being performed by the present-day heroes that NHS workers have come to represent. “Oh, if you need a friend / I’m sailing right behind / Like a bridge over troubled water / I will ease your mind” – it’s not hard to see how a sentiment like that can communicate so widely, and with so many, at a time like this.

Into The Blue Light, unlike any of his previous efforts, will comprise updates and reworkings of his old songs. These songs, Simon explained, were ‘almost right, or were odd enough to be overlooked the first time around.’ In the new album, Simon and his troupe of session players – which includes jazz luminaries like Wynton Marsalis, Bill Frisell and Steve Gad – will redo ‘arrangements, harmonic structures, and lyrics that didn’t make their meaning clear.’ He said that the whole process gave him a ‘fresh perspective’. ‘[It] gave me time to clarify in my own head what I wanted to say, or realize what I was thinking and make it more easily understood.’

Simon has made a promotional video for the upcoming release, which you can see below.

Catapulted into fame as part of the 1960s’ folk duo Simon and Garfunkel, the ten songs are lesser-known but actually among his best. One of the tracks featured in the video, ‘Can’t Run But’, for example, is one of Simon’s most fascinating cuts. Originally released on 1990’s Rhythm of the Saints, the original is powered by exotic rhythms, tribal percussion and spacey lyrics, inspired by Simon’s experimentation with ayahuasca, the Amazonian hallucinogenic brew, as well as his wider travels across Latin America. But from its feature in the promotional video, it seems that Simon’s update will be decidedly more Western classical.

The new release is also set to coincide with the final leg of his farewell ‘Homeward Bound’ tour, which concludes with a performance on September 22 in Queens, New York. Simon is stopping in the UK tomorrow for a performance at Hyde Park’s BST Festival. You can get last-minute tickets here.

In The Blue Light – out September 7th