Audiences at Gateshead’s Sage music centre have become used to spectacular star-studded events over the past few years, but this world-famous venue is really excelling itself this coming weekend, with a Feast of Fiddles.
Among those appearing are Scotland’s Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, American Bruce Molsky, Londonbased Pete Cooper, Irish legend Paddy Glackin, Scots first lady of the bow Catriona MacDonald, local hero Stewart Hardy and Anglo-Scandinavian supergroup Baltic Crossing, so in other words, nearly all aspects of folk-fiddling will be represented over two days of concerts and workshops.
What a way to spend the Easter break, you have to admit, but that’s not all. Vin Garbutt is at Sedgefield Cricket Club, on Saturday, with the John Wrightson band and Loose Connections in support, and Washington’s Davy Lamp are also pushing the boat out with the great music-hall expert Al Seally and his hugely entertaining homage to that Cheeky Chappie, Max Miller.
There are plenty of other highlights in the region over the next seven days, including pop-folk from Andy Caven at Robin Hood’s Bay Folk Club, on Friday; Dave Hardy at Guisborough Rugby Club, on Sunday; local leadinglady Marie Little at South Causey Inn, near Stanley, on Tuesday; and two gigs by accomplished modern folk exponents Landermason, at St Peter’s, in Staithes, on Saturday and the Tythe Barn, in Northallerton, on Sunday.
There is also a singaround at The Ship, in Middlestone Village, on Saturday, along with resident musicians’ nights at most of the other regular clubs around the region.
A fine week of folk in store then, as usual.
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