I WAS at last weekend’s Folk 21 conference in Wolverhampton, when club organisers and concert promoters from across the West Midlands gathered to forge contacts. Five lucky folk acts were given the chance to showcase before this esteemed audience. The West Midlands folk scene has many parallels to our own in the North-East, with many longestablished folk clubs, and everyone seemed very happy for the chance to compare notes, share gossip and generally hang out. Folk 21 operates nationally, and is hoped will be making forays into our area at some point. More information is available on their website at folktwentyone.wordpress.com.

This week’s local highlights start tonight with the fine singing of Graham Pirt at Blaydon’s Tynefolk, and some steamy Americana at The Beamish Mary at No Place, near Stanley, from Florida-based band Swampgass. Another visiting American, Bruce Molsky brings his marvellous fiddle playing and singing to Washington’s Davy Lamp on Saturday, and on Sunday, we can choose between Barrie and Ingrid Temple at The Customs House, in South Shields, and Serious Sam Barrett at The Waiting Room, in Eaglescliffe.

On Monday, I have a solo gig at The North Briton, in Aycliffe Village, one of my favourite local venues. At Stockton’s Sun Inn, the acclaimed Scots songstress Wendy Arrowsmith is the main attraction.

Kieran Halpin is back at The Candlelight in Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday.

Congratulations to award-winning songstress Eliza Carthy, who has just been appointed Artistic Associate Director at The Sage Gateshead, to succeed the incumbent Kathryn Tickell.