I’LL hopefully be back from my current Canadian trip to play at a concert on the final day of this year’s Whitby Folk Week tomorrow.

Whitby has been a highlight of the festival season for many decades and for many people, and by all accounts, this year’s event has lived up to its longstanding reputation.

Next up on the local festival front is Sedgefield during the weekend of September 5 to 7.

If you’re quick, you might find there’s still a few tickets available for that. Before then, there are two events happening tomorrow that are worth noting: Vin Garbutt at Marton Country Club near Middlesbrough and Pete Scott at the Surf Cafe in Tynemouth.

Elsewhere most clubs and venues are still on their summer break, and I’m still buzzing from all the great music I’ve heard on my Canadian trip.

Highlights at last weekend’s festival in Owen Sound, Ontario included Buffy St Marie, American fiddler Bruce Molsky, native songwriter Leela Gilday and harmony trio Finest Kind.

Like some of the recent events here in the UK, we suffered somewhat from wet weather up there on the shores of Lake Huron, but I guess it takes a lot to dampen the folky spirit, wherever you are in the world.

It was easily one of the most enjoyable festivals I’ve ever been to.