Fairport’s Cropredy Convention takes place, as ever, on the second weekend of August. Here is a little introduction to one of the bands on the bill who will/should be very familiar to Fairport followers, Plumhall.

PLUMHALL

With their One Star Awake album just over a year old, the Plumhall core duo of Nick and Michelle will be joined by another duo – the Crickmores – David P Crickmore (Fiat Lux/The Durbervilles) on bass, synth and electronica and his son James Crickmore on drums. Friday sees the Plumhall ‘big band’ take the stage and maybe even a Fairporter or two will do what they did on the 2024 Wintour and join in for the title track

Meanwhile Nick and Michelle from Plumhall with additional comments from the Crickmores, take on our Crop ’25 Q&A.

Cropredy is a festival with a long history and iconic status. What sets it apart from other festivals and what does it mean to you to play there?

NICK / MICHELLE: We believe the thing that sets Cropredy apart from other festivals is the unique, symbiotic relationship it has with the village. The history of the festival: growing from Fairport basically providing a turn at the village fete to the huge event it is now is just wonderful. We can only imagine how proud and moved everyone in the Fairport family must be when they look out over that field each year.

The festival means a huge amount to us: Nick has been coming here as a punter nearly every year since 1992 and playing on this stage has been a dream of his since then. It was incredible to stand on that stage last year and perform a song with Fairport and join a Fairport Extension line up to back Ralph McTell… let’s face it, what could beat that? The fact we’re back this year with a full band and our own spot is simply beyond our wildest dreams. 

DAVID: Ever since my sixth form teacher decided to dedicate a term of General Studies to “The History Of Fairport Convention” (around the time of the album of the same name) I have been hooked and have followed the twists and turns of the band and its members careers including their very shrewd move to develop Cropredy festival into what it means today.

JAMES: Cropredy is different because its ready to accept anyone of any age, which isn’t something I’ve experienced at other festivals. To play here is something I could have only optimistically imagined since I’ve been coming.

What memories do you have of Cropredy?

NICK / MICHELLE: It’s definitely a return visit for us! Michelle started attending Cropredy in 2008 and Nick is a ‘lifer’ since 1992… just a few of the memories that stick out for us are meeting up with old friends… making new friends… the moon rising over the stage as Simon starts playing the beautiful introduction to The Hiring Fair… the shooting star that streaked across the sky two years ago that sparked a Plumhall song – which we ended up playing with Fairport at Cropredy a year later… spending time with David and James Crickmore (our extended Plumhall band members) and their family watching great bands and having a great laugh…

DAVID: I am a Cropredy regular – first as a punter, them from the early 2000s I  began covering the event for the BBC on a regular basis, while in 2011 I was part of the band backing Steve Tilston for his most recent Cropredy appearance to date. Its always a joy to be there no matter in what capacity and I always get a special buzz when first entering the field. The festival has its own special magic for me – the atmosphere is unique. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Cropredy stage and I’ll be especially proud to share it not only with Nick and Michelle but also my son James who will be making his Cropredy stage debut on the drums. He’s been coming to the festival since he was about 7 and the influence of Dave Mattacks is a big part of him taking up the drums. 

JAMES: My first Cropredy was in 2014 when I was around 7. It’s helped shape my music taste today- I remember rushing to get a Genesis CD after hearing Steve Hackett for the first time! A memory my mum is fond of is walking back to the car listening to The Waterboys play The Whole Of The Moon with a full moon lighting our way.

Given the state of the festival programme in the UK with cut backs and cancellations, what’s your view on the UK festival scene? What do you think it would take to restore it to a former glory?

NICK / MICHELLE: The festival scene is in a very difficult position… it’s no surprise to us that Cropredy has survived because it’s not based on greed. It grew slowly, got as big as it could get and then made sensible, necessary moves to survive. Some other festivals are run by big entertainment companies and seem to be crumbling and going out of business – leaving ticket buyers and stall-holders out of pocket. We also think – on a positive note – that the old, original town-based folk festivals may now see a resurgence. Nick has played at every Otley Folk Festival since the second one and seen its popularity wax and wane… but it survived Covid and the numbers are slowly returning. Another issue is that audience members aren’t as keen on camping any more as they get older – hence the blossoming of the brilliant Costa Festivals. 

Our main wish is that Cropredy continues for as long as the Fairport family wants it to and that the audience will return to the smaller festivals too, as some of the bigger ones fold. Maybe the festival scene will never return to its former glory but perhaps morph into something smaller, different but just as good in its own way? 

DAVID: I think it  is all probably wrapped up in the state of the economy, people not having the spare cash, plus a “stay at home” mentality fostered by everything being available on a “smart” phone.

JAMES: I think, unfortunately, the issue is what names can festivals now bill that are exciting enough to get people to come? In the age of social media, artists now only need 15 seconds of a decent song to get their fame, never mind a full set’s worth of songs! Festivals would do well to showcase the talents with an arsenal of great songs, something Cropredy does well!

Tell us about your plans post-Cropredy. What does the short and long term future hold?

NICK / MICHELLE: Immediately post-Cropredy we’re looking forward to playing in the post-festival cricket match for the second year running then it’s a good rest, followed by an Autumn tour with dates up and down the country. 

We were keen to maintain a connection with Fairport after last year’s Wintour – and then last year’s guest spot at Cropredy – so we’re so happy we’ve got our set here this year… and then next summer we’re going to play on a beautiful boat with Fairport up and down the Douro River in Portugal – courtesy of the wonderful people at Harmony Voyages. It’s going to be such an incredible experience – if you possibly can, please come! 

We’ve also really enjoyed preparing the band for Cropredy and playing warm-up shows so we’d love to do more shows with the band. Nick thinks it’s great to be able to jump around on the stage with his Gretsch on while it’s still not looking too tragic! 

DAVID: : I’m a music producer really –being in the Plumhall expanded band line up is on account of my having had the privilege of producing and playing on all their records. I hope to do more dates with them, plus I have recently signed a new record deal with my own band Fiat Lux and we are currently planning a new LP and live dates for early next year.

JAMES: I’ve recently finished my A Levels and I’m looking forward to studying at university. On the music front, I’ll look to see what opportunities arise for me and take them as far as possible. 

Tent or caravan – or hotel? Or arrive/play/go home?!

DAVID: A whole week with the family in a holiday cottage is the plan – it’s a great part of the country to spend time in – again, it’s Fairport we have to thank for discovering this.

JAMES: We’re staying over in a nearby cottage we’ve booked. Although I’m well calibrated to the joys of camping, the rest of the family prefer to stay comfortable.

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 has officially sold out. There are no official resale channels. You can keep an eye on the Fairport Facebook group here or Twickets, here.

Plumhall: Website / Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram

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