However, some minor god in the heavens must have a passion for music, the skies cleared and the music started. The punters who had sought refuge in marquee number 2 had the delights of Mumford and Sons folk and bluegrass fusion to cheer them. Followed by Pete Molinari, who's Dylanesque charms put a smile on everyones face. Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds clearly enjoyed themselves thrashing out some punk classics.

Clear skies meant a cold night in a tent for many, apparently the way to survive it is to consume a box of red wine whilst queuing to camp, then move to the cider before retiring to one's sleeping bag. A complex process involving methane and reflux keeps one as warm as toast. A slug of red wine before breakfast sets the stomach up for the day, the fact that this method was recounted to me by someone of pensionable age I find quite alarming.

Friday was bright and warm as the festival really got into gear. Genticorums qubecois folk was perfect for the weather and temperature, the afternoons bill was riveting; The Shee are phenomenal, their combination of Scottish folk with just the right amount of bluegrass is an irresistible rhythmic force. Amy Thatcher on accordion drew a huge roar from the audience when she cast off her instrument and did a clog dance to Rachel Newton's deep bass rhythm on her electric harp.

Edward II are continuing their triumphant farewell tour and seem to get better every time I see them, the poor boys were grilled later in the signing tent by demands not to call it a day at the end of the year, lets hope they listen.

The compere had run out of superlatives to describe The Waterson Family, Folk royalty indeed, but also one of the most important links with the folk tradition around, Norma seems frail when she walks on stage but belts out a song mightily, The White Cockade had the audience standing on tiptoe in rapture. They had also been interviewed by MOJO magazine in the afternoon about Topic Records 70th anniversary, undoubtedly the most important music label in the UK. Having just received a review copy of 'Three Score and Ten', the seven CD anthology and incredibly well produced book about the label, I am in awe of it's history and values, something to be deeply proud of in the folk community.

There are always a high proportion of American artists on the Cambridge bill, sometimes they work fantastically well, Susan Tedeschi wowed the crowd with her blues and soulful voice. Buffy Saint Marie seemed out of place however, the litmus test of which way the people were moving was a thumbs down as they marched ant like to the bars.

The club tent was so popular this afternoon that they had to stop people going in, the quality of the acts put on by the local folk clubs are so good that surely they deserve a bigger marquee?

The only time there felt room to walk around without bumping or treading on people was when Bellowhead took to the stage, a tide of people pressed into the marquee for their phenomenal set. Bellowhead now seem much more comfortable in their skin, out to entertain rather than astound and startle. They were the real headliners of friday rather than the following Zutons, Bellowhead encompass such grandeur and energy that there were people being pulled out of the front of the crushing crowd.

Martin Simpson is an old favourite of Cambridge and often forms part of this session, his intimate set was a good omen for his main performance later today.

Jim Moray performed a rocking set, a real tour through his back catalogue and of course a great deal of material from his Low Culture album. The crowd really got behind Wild Boar and of course All The Pretty Girls.

Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings played Songs From The Floodplain, stark contrast to Bellowhead last night, but sheer brilliance. The material live has the beauty of a frosty winters morning, a cold charm that sets the senses on fire.

Bella Hardy followed, with all the musicians that appeared on her latest album, she held the audience entranced in her hand. Engish fiddle music has no finer exponent.

Martin Simpson had a whale of a time with his band on stage one, Jon Boden on fiddle, and the great Andy Cutting on accordion joined him on the front line. The material from his new album sounded superb, True Stories will be a huge hit. Martin has been very successful over the last few years, amazingly he sounds even better now. The band arrangement for the poignant Never Any Good was incredible and drew a huge response from the crowd. Stagolee was a huge banjo driven final flourish.

Back on stage 2 The Shee gave an even better performance than yesterday, the tent was rammed, no doubt with many who saw them yesterday.

Then the heavens opened, a dash to the club tent to see Spiro give a mesmeric performance. The Club Tent has moved up a step over the last few years, they surely deserves a bigger tent with the huge audieence that they attract. Megan and Joe Henwood delivered a great set, yet some of it was drowned out by the volume of the sound coming from the main stage. Cambridge is all about the quality of the music, sometimes the festival feels as if itneeds more room to breathe.

Thankfully the torrential rain passed, to leave a rainbow lingering over stage 1 and a ruddy sunset.

Lau were greeted with massive enthusiasm in a packed marquee 2, with lap steel layer and backing vocalists their already big sound became huge. Los Lobos were playing stage 1, but this was where the magic was.

Blue skies! Hurrah. But, oh, the mud....

A few groggy heads today by the looks of it around the site. Bella Hardy officially launched her new album, In the Shadow of Mountains, with a full band. You can read our review here, suffice to say the material sounded fantastic with the excitement of the occassion apparent in all of their performances.

Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden & Seamie O'Dowd were a revelation, some of the best trad Irish music I have heard in a very long time.

Lau delivered a blistering set, they seem incapable of being mundane, every performance is a powerhouse demonstration of just how to do it really well.

Eddi Reader had a sublime backing band, including the likes of Boo Hewerdine, John McCusker, Chris Whyle and Heidi Talbot.

Martin Simpson presented a solo set of his latest material, as powerful as last nights band set and delightfully intimate.

Megson had a fantastic spot in the club tent, gorgeous songs and engaging banter, they will be recording new material in the Autumn, something to look forward to.

Cara Dillon's set in marquee 2 showed off the brilliance of her new material wonderfully, siting perfectly with her earlier work.

http://www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk/