Cambridge folk festival review – Robert Plant thrills, Peggy Seeger inspires and Oysterband rock

Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge
The Led Zeppelin frontman’s latest band, Saving Grace, riffs on country, folk, rock and blues, but the weekend belongs to female American singer-songwriters

Robert Plant is clearly enjoying himself. He may be a rock god, but he’s also a music fan with impressively eclectic taste. Twenty-four years ago he was on this same stage at the Cambridge folk festival with Priory of Brion, reviving 1960s favourites by Them and Love. He has worked with four bands and Alison Krauss since then; tonight he “presents” his new-ish five-piece, Saving Grace, who started in low-key fashion five years ago supporting Fairport Convention, but here give a masterclass in how to revive and rework country, folk, rock and blues.

Dressed in black, Plant trades vocals with Suzi Dian while adding occasional harmonica and bass guitar. First comes the brooding and bluesy Win My Train Fare Home, which he originally recorded at the Festival in the Desert with English guitarist Justin Adams. Next up is a charming rendition of traditional The Cuckoo, backed by banjo, and then a pounding revival of Led Zeppelin’s Friends, with Dian adding accordion. Later come tributes to Los Lobos and Bert Jansch, and a rousing a cappella finale of the traditional Incredible String Band favourite Bid You Goodnight. It’s a thrilling, compelling performance.