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My Photographic Journey - Music Festivals; Cropredy 2014

I've been lucky to attend a music festival where there were no limitations on camera equipment anyone brought in. So if you fancied bringing an SLR with a nice 70-200 f2.8 lens, then you could. And I have to admit, I did!

So in 2014, the festival was Cropredy, held in the town of the same name in Oxfordshire.

The festival is hosted and run by the folk-rock group, Fairport Convention and is held over three days. Although Fairport is a folk group they say the festival covers many genres, and during this, I saw folk, rock, prog rock all covered.

Joe Broughton's Conservatoire Folk Ensemble

An interesting concept, brought to life by Joe Broughton, where he assembled a group of young musicians, mostly from classical/folk (there is a crossover) backgrounds to perform and basically have a bit of fun.

This was just a small segment of the ensemble here, and as can be seen, everyone adding their own bit of colour of costuming to the group!

Capercallie

Scotlands Celtic group fronted by Karen Matherson joined by her husband Donald Shaw. If you've seen the film Rob Roy, then you'll have seen Karen in the film performing the song Ailein Duinn (Dark-haired Alan).

Karen Matherson

Donald Shaw on Accordion

Steve Hacketts Genesis Revistited

If anyone is a fan of the original Genesis then what we have is something by original band member Steve Hackett recreating the group so the original music can be heard live again. Anyone for 18 minutes of Suppers Ready?

Steve Hackett

Nad Sylvan joins the tour as lead vocalist.

The Wonder Stuff

Known mostly for their song Dizzy that had guest vocals performed by Vic Reeves, be it he wasn't there for this set! So performance was fronted by Miles Hunt.

Mark McCarthy on Bass

Benjamin Folke Thomas

Pretty much a solo performer, Benjamin comes from Gothenburg and pretty much made the UK his home at the time, even with the hockey top. For me, this image just captures a moment between songs as a pause for thought, 20,000 crowd in front of him, a different prospect from small enclosed gigs!

Blackbeards Tea Party

This was a mad little group that focused on Pirate folk medleys and made it all twisted and insane sounding, pretty much off their rockers really, still a lot of fun, and pretty photogenic!

Fairport Convention

Fairport has been around for decades now, and are pretty influential within folk circles, forever credited by many that follow today. They gave us known songs such as "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" with Sandy Denny on vocals.

Here we have Simon Nicol on vocal and lead guitar duty

And you cant end without a sunset over a festival?