Festival Q&A:
Honeyfeet’s Ríoghnach Connolly

Manchester's Honeyfeet bring their blend of blues and pop, jazz and disco to Cambridge Folk Festival in August. Front woman Ríoghnach Connoll tells us what the audience can expect to see.

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What have you got planned for your set at Cambridge Folk Festival?
Well, we’re closing the second stage on Saturday night so it’s gonna have to be a hopping set!

Who else are you excited to see at Cambridge Folk Festival this year?
I’m very excited to see Ellen and Maeve McGovern of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, Patti Smith, Rhiannon Giddens, Songhoy Blues (especially Aliou Touré – we were lucky enough to gig with him a few months ago. He’s incredible!) Damien O’Kane, Elephant Sessions, Eliza Carthy, Eric Bibb, John Smith, Kate Rusby and Rosanne Cash.

What are your festival essentials and what’s on your rider?
Fresh ginger, single malt and bum wipes.

What is your funniest festival memory?
This has started a very long and hysterical debate within the group. Mmost of the stories we could never divulge publicly I’m afraid. I will mention a few story titles though: bras for hats, punching a scarecrow puppet stalker, backstage hog farts coming through soundcheck, apocalyptic stage malfunction, cars on the wrong side of the motorway, when everything goes “fear and loathing”, “am I still playing?”, harmonica rainbow, Ellis saw a fairy (“or a pixie, but she was definitely there”).

How does playing a festival differ from playing your own gig?
You get to play to people you’ve never met before. And there’s generally a bit more nudity.

What informs your music and songwriting?
Experience, fear, bravery, Patrón tequila, mindfulness, political landscape, vice, advice, family, humanitarianism, nudity and porridge.

What is the one song you wish you’d written?
Happy Birthday. Think of the royalties.

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