Chris Gravett

I went to Cropredy Festival primarily to see The Travelling Band  so it's only right that in my first blog on Cropredy I focus on The Travelling Band. I say first blog as I will no doubt do some more over the next few days on the Cropredy subject. Cropredy is like no other festival I have been to - it's so laid back, I've described it as the most chilled festival on earth. This is Fairport Conventions festival, held on their farm. So it's roots are in folk music although the line up covers many musical genres. Many legends along with some real upcoming talent. More on that in future photoblogs. At Cropredy you camp with your car (no trudging miles with your camping gear) close to the festival arena (there is just a single main stage, which means decent crowds for all the artists) and also very close to the village of Cropredy.

The whole village puts on facilities like breakfast, showers etc and a 'fringe festival' takes place with artists appearing in both of the pubs. Also of note are the toilets throughout the festival area and campsites - they are the best you'll find anywhere. Cropredy attracts an attendance of around 20,000.

The Early Crowd

As I said I chose Cropredy because The Travelling Band were appearing. I've followed and photographed this band for over three years. I knew they were looking forward to appearing at Cropredy but I'm sure even they had no idea how well they would go down. Their slot was 1250 pm on the Friday, an unlikely time for the crowd to be awake let alone warmed up. The band went down a storm, audience and the band both visibly really enjoying themselves. The size of the queue at the signing tent was testimony to how well they went down. Plus the fact that the whole stock of Screaming is Something , their latest album, sold out swiftly with hundreds still queuing, sums up the impact the band had on thousands who had never heard them before. Some well deserved recognition! I was stoked to witness the band having so much success. Below some photos of the band...

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Backstage after the set I was able to catch a very happy Travelling Band along with the legendary Bob Harris

Below a shot of some of the lucky ones who secured a CD waiting to have it signed

More photos from Cropredy tomorrow.