The Archive
Formatted at 800 X 600 or higher - Updated October 2007
 |
For
information on today's festivals see eFestivals.co.uk |
|
The Cambridge Free Festivals. Midsummer Common. 8-11th June 1969. Blossom Toes, Family, Third Ear Band, The Deviants, Edgar Broughton Band, Brian Auger Trinity, Juniors Eyes, Marsha Hunt and White Trash, Terry Reid, King Crimson, Screw, Henry Cow, Committee, Mr Lucifer, The Strawbs , Roy Harper, Incredible String Band, Coopers, Tuesdays Children, Mellowing Grey, Paul Wheeler, Horn, Sir Charles Babbage, Iveys, Klan , Dawn, White Unicorn, Story Book, 1984, Mighty Baby, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, East Of Eden, Jason Crest , Audience, Juggernaut, Reflection, Mandrake. Dj's Jeff Dexter and John Peel. Coldhams Common August 1970. Edgar Broughton Demon Fuzz Coldhams Common12th/13th June 1971.
|
 |
Up till now its been the boast of the Phun City festival organisers that their festival was the first major free festival event in the UK ( as opposed to the one day free concerts held in Hyde Park), well it seems like they have a rival and one that was intended to be free all along instead of mutating from a paying festival to a free bash due to adverse circumstances, which was what happened at Phun City ( no one could get the fences erected in time ). This was full year before Phun City too, so it was a real pioneer amongst free festivals
This festival didn't get much publicity but it had a hell of a good lineup and quite a few of these artists got to play too. We don't know how many attended the festival, but it looks like it was fine event and we would love to learn more about it .If you attended please send us your memoirs....
according to Marmalaide Skies , the timeline went like this
June 8th: Edgar Broughton Band, Deviants, Tuesday's Children, Henry Cow
June 9th:Blossom Toes, Mighty Baby, Jason Crest, 1984
June 10th:Brian Auger & The Trinity, King Crimson, Juniors Eyes, White Trash, Roy Harper, Terry Reid, Kippington Lodge, East Of Eden etc
June 11th:Third Ear Band, Family, Screw, Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Strawbs, "Dave" Bowie, Audience .
 |
Hi, I came across your wonderful archives today, and I noticed that although you mention the 1969 Cambridge Midsummer Pop Festival, nothing is recorded about it. I thought you would appreciate the attached copies of the poster, with details of the bands on the bill. The bedraggled poster is still on my wall, exactly 39 years on. (My friend Peter Reynolds framed his copy, and I bet he still has it – it will be in much better condition.) I was 14 then, at school, at the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, and I hated it. It was still very much the school that Roger Waters attended, and wrote about in The Wall. I went to the “Pop Festival” every day, after school and all day on the last day. It was absolutely great – warm sunshine, and a revelation, the music I was avidly absorbing from the John Peel Show being played right in front of me. I vividly remember Family, who were fantastic, and the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, with John Stevens who I saw very often during the 1970’s. I think I remember seeing Terry Reid, and King Crimson, and I know I saw Brian Auger and the Trinity, and the Third Ear Band. And Henry Cow, who played a lot in Cambridge in those days. Mr Lucifer, Mellowing Grey, Committee, and Sir Charles Babbages All Brass Computing Engine were all local bands who also played regularly around the Town, and at University events. It was a lovely event, and deserves to be remembered. There was an article, and pictures, in the Cambridge Daily News, that you may be able to find from their files. Regards, Steve McDermott |
