Rock ‘n’ Reel Review of 2025

We were delighted to receive this fabulous review of our 2025 festival by Steve Caseman from the illustrious Rock ‘n’ Reel magazine, the UK folk industry’s voice of the grass roots (full text below):

Rock ‘n’ Reel review, with picture of Rory McLeod

“Numerous festivals these days are tagged compact/bijou as an exclusivity selling point, meaning entrance fees can be hiked up. Cumberlandia certainly fits the former but is the absolute opposite of the pocket-lightening latter. Volunteer-run, a very reasonably priced event, from entrance to bar prices, and held in a stunning woodland setting just outside Workington in West Cumbria, festival stage The Glade really has to be seen to be believed.

“The weekend benefits from the laid-back and friendly atmosphere, part village fete, part old-school folk festival and part family gathering. It's welcoming, open, non-corporate, and has a distinctive DIY core. It's a joy from start to finish. Nothing is overlapped so all artists tend to receive full houses and rapt attention. Highlights are many with sessions, brass and shanty singing while the wonderful Rory Mcleod conjures his magical musical travelogue tales, which still manage to transfix four decades on.

“Re-formed Cumbrian folk-rock favourites Tryckster are in fine form, offering mouthwatering samples of a forthcoming, long-overdue new album. Granny's Attic possess talent, charisma and splendid stagecraft. Their very accessible folk music sees them making many new friends. Folk singer and fiddler Carolyn Francis, appearing solo, impresses with her beguiling mix of traditional music and loops, while Sam Lee similarly charmed with his near-hypnotic, unique delivery of traditional and trad-based material. A lovely little secret, Cumberlandia is unlikely to stay that way for long.”