OVER in Boston Massachusetts, the long-established epicentre of the US East Coast folk scene, there is a monthly circular around the venues and promoters called The Conflict Calendar.

It's purpose is to prevent people from organising big events on dates that would clash with a similar concert or gig, thus splitting the audience demand and causing problems for all concerned.

Perhaps something similar would have prevented the situation this week, where Tyneside hosts two of Scotland's top Celtic bands at separate venues this weekend.

Gateshead's Sage has Capercaillie in concert on Saturday, while half-a-mile away at the City Hall, Runrig will be making a rare visit south of the border the night before. It's not a choice that cash-strapped fans of exciting Scots folk-rock will find it easy to make.

The same night, Gateshead's Sage has Cross Current and Shona Mooney in Hall Two, so all in all, a case for decisions and deliberations.

Elsewhere this week, choose tonight between the legendary Michael Chapman at South Shields Customs House, and a double bill of top songwriters Gareth Davies-Jones and Rob Halligan at Newcastle's Bridge Hotel.

Westoe Club has the Waite Collective on Sunday, and Tuesday night brings Lyra Celtica to Cramlington's Comrades Club, and American songwriter Mary Gauthier to Newcastle's Cluny.

So, very much a Tyneside-based column this week, only because no-one has let me know what's going on anywhere else!

Come on Teesside, Wearside, Durham and the rest of you. Let's hear what's happening in your neck of the woods by contacting me at Jezfolk@aol. com.