• Jazz-Funk legends Red Express return to Strawberry Fair after 50 years
• Live DJ set from Cambridge 105 Radio Soul DJ Chris Brown
• Live Performances from Cambridge acts Romsey, Bin Weasel, Dos Floris and Zephyrus
Cambridge 105 Radio has announced its line-up for this year’s Strawberry Fair.
The local station will broadcast live from Midsummer Common on Saturday 1 June with a line-up handpicked by its music presenters.
Julian Clover, Cambridge 105 Radio, Editorial Lead said: “This is a fabulous line-up that all of our music presenters have been able to contribute to. Strawberry Fair has been a part of Cambridge life for half a century and we’re looking forward to broadcasting a flavour of the event to Cambridge and beyond on digital radio, smart speakers and the Radioplayer app”.
Now in its 50th year, Cambridge 105 Radio will feature some of the sights and sounds of the event, starting with the annual parade.
Jazz-funk legends Red Express will be back on stage at Strawberry Fair for the first time since 1974. Back then the band supported Elvis Costello at Trinity College and were a favourite at several of Cambridge University’s May Balls.
The funky mix of Red Express will be preceded at 6pm by a live set from Cambridge 105 Radio soul DJ Chris Brown, who appears on the radio stage for the first time.
Strummers & Dreamers presenter Les Ray has chosen two singer-songwriters for his folk hour, Kitty May, a talented young artist from Lowestoft, and Northern Irish singer-songwriter Shea Rafferty.
New Music Generator has looked across East Anglia for sounds that represent the twice-weekly Cambridge 105 Radio programme that supports local music: Afterdrive are a four-piece band from Ipswich who had their latest single played on Radio 1; Headcheck from Newmarket were finalists at BurySOUND 2024; Former ARU student Kaspar Larsen is now based in Norwich. He won the NMG Award for Male Solo artist in 2022; Stagger pick Lounge Lizards are also from Norwich, while Peterborough-based Oakes sold out the recent NMG Presents gig at the Blue Moon.
We’ll also hear from Romsey, Cambridge 105 Radio’s Ones to Watch from this year’s Under 18s Cambridge Band Competition who take their name from the district in Cambridge linked by Mill Road Bridge. Zephyrus, another Under 18 band from Cambridge released their debut single earlier this year.
Another Stagger favourite appearing on the Cambridge 105 Radio stage is quirky singer-songwriter Vince Taylor, known for his humorous songs, entertaining stage presence.
Mola Mola Jambalaya has been chosen by veteran presenter Paul Christoforou. The Bassist is Lee Philips who is also the ukulele player in the Lightwaves frequent performances at The Six bells and the Earl of Beaconsfield.
Dos Floris, selected by Davey Hammond, is flying into Cambridge from her home in Italy. She’s been invited to the city by the band Tape Runs Out, who heard her on Davey’s programme and invited her to support his band in Cambridge on May 30th, staying on to play Strawberry Fair.
Finally, The Forsaken, the choice of Rock Show presenter Neil Jones are former Band Competition entrants. Previously based in Cambridgeshire they’re now a national touring rock band.
