It has taken the organizers of the U.K.’s Cambridge Folk Festival years to get Van Morrison to headline the historic event, but the singer has finally agreed. Morrison will play this year, which marks the festival’s 50th anniversary.
Morrison, 68, is best known for albums like Astral Weeks and Moondance, along with countless iconic songs. According to Reuters, getting him to play is an achievement for Eddie Barcan, who has put together the festival every year since 1993.
“I've tried many times in the past,” Barcan told Reuters. “You just keep chipping away.”
Barcan has also booked Sinead O’Connor and Roseanne Cash as headliners. The event begins today and runs through Sunday. Morrison will play on Sunday.
However, anyone hoping to get a last-second ticket at the box office will be turned away. As ITV notes, the festival is completely sold out.
The festival has a long tradition of booking young artists, while also getting traditional British, Irish and American folk artists. Other performers for this year’s festival include Richard Thompson, Eliza and Martin Carthy and the Newcastle Kingsmen Sword Dancers. An album of recordings celebrating the 50th anniversary will also be available.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com