CULTURE CLUB
HEADLINER OF THE SUMMER
From a small, one-day event to a feel-good festival extravaganza, we trace The Cambridge Club’s evolution with co-founder Sam Mellor
Cambridge Edition: How did the festival originally come to life? Sam Mellor: We founded The Cambridge Club (CC) in 2017 as the sister festival to our original event Strawberries & Creem (S&C). Our initial aim was to offer something our parents wanted to attend; I think they were put off by the dance and rap music at S&C! Back then, S&C was a one-day event on Saturday, so we had to flip the site overnight with totally different music, decor and drinks for CC on Sunday. As people who grew up here and know Cambridge, we wanted to reach a new audience keen for a popular festival on their doorstep, bringing big names to the stage. We’ve come a long way from those early years with several stages, on-site camping, a range of entertainment and over 20,000 people to share it with! CE: Tell us about the vision behind CC. SM: Our guiding principle has always been about the music - celebrating the best in disco, funk and soul, with this feel-good philosophy applied to everything we do and everyone we book. We just wanted music that made people dance, both young and old, cross-generational sounds and acts that get us grooving together – kids and parents alike. Whether we’re bringing disco queens such as Chaka Khan to town, funk and soul giants like Earth Wind & Fire Experience, or modern pop icons like Jessie Ware, the thing that ties it all together is the
nature and danceability of the music. Pairing that vibe and atmosphere with a beautiful site offering a clean-cut experience, plus a friendly and welcoming audience. We want the event to be both friendly and down-to-earth, while also offering something unique – so you feel like you’ve discovered a secret club, a hidden gem nestled in the Cambridgeshire countryside. CE: What have been the highlights so far? SM: Being a festival promoter is a rollercoaster ride! Some moments have been downright surreal, such as bringing in a local Michelin- starred chef – Tristan Welch, then head chef at the University Arms’ Parker’s Tavern restaurant – to cook for Diana Ross in 2022! We’ve welcomed some amazing performers and all-time music greats to the CC stage; that has been a privilege. We’ll all forever remember sets from Nile Rodgers and Chic, Diana Ross, The Jacksons, Lionel Richie, Grace Jones, Kool and the Gang – too many to mention! I recall show- stealing performances from Gabrielle and Sister Sledge in the early days, who took a punt on a little one-day event in Cambridge and brought the house down. We’re grateful for moments that gave us something special to build on. CE: What are your hopes for the festival going forwards? SM: We want to keep serving up incredible music and memorable event experiences for
everyone, bringing some of the biggest names in the world to Cambridge, while also improving what we’re offering and expanding what goes on across the site. We only added camping in 2021 but it’s been a huge area of growth for us, expanding every year since. For CC 24, we’ve got more capacity for people to stay over on site – either by bringing their own tent or camper van, or booking one of pre-pitched tents (which range from basic tents to glossy glamping packages). The orchard has also become increasingly involved over the years; it’s a beautiful space and a unique aspect of the site, housing the Discovery Den dance stage within its confines. Also new and improved is the car park on site, so if you’re driving you can park next to the festival and walk in. We’re just getting better each year and offering more value to our audience, who are what makes the festival special and deserve the best time ever!
Our hotly anticipated theatrical delights, causing a stir all over the city Pick of the Theatre
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET 13-23 MARCH, ADC THEATRE
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL 9-13 APRIL, CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE
RICHARD, MY RICHARD 11-27 APRIL, THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS Based on the story of Richard III, don’t miss the world premiere of the first play by world- renowned author Philippa Gregory.
Dubbed ‘one of the greatest comedies’, this performance is an uproarious social satire.
The murderous tale is brought to life by the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club.
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK MARCH 2024 15
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