FOLK festival time has taken its seasonal grip on the scene.

Judging by the great time I had at Doncaster Festival and Chester Festival in the past couple of weeks, it looks like it’s going to be another enjoyable summer, despite the spectres of funding cuts and financial constraints being constantly in the background.

Meanwhile, the local club scene is as exciting as ever, with some great concerts coming up in the week ahead.

Tonight, acclaimed US songwriter Devon Sproule is at Gateshead’s Sage, and tomorrow, that star of stage and screen, Vin Garbutt is at Henshaw’s. in Knaresborough. near Harrogate, one of the nicest venues in North Yorkshire.

We have a choice on Saturday between instrumentalists Claire Mann and Aaron Jones at Washington’s Davy Lamp, a double header with legendary local band Fourum and Nick Brooker at Swaledale Outdoor Centre in Richmond, and the delightful instrumental duo The Hut People at St Agatha’s Church, in Easby.

These two lads were a big hit at Doncaster last week, and have a really fresh approach, so check them out. On Sunday, there’s a chance to get up close with legendary US singer-songwriter Katy Moffat at Guisborough Rugby Club, and on Monday the fine US traditional singer Jeff Warner is at Stockton’s Sun Inn.

On Tuesday, there’s another chance to hear Katy Moffat, at Cramlington’s Hind and the increasingly popular John Wrightson Band are at Newton Aycliffe’s Candlelight Club.

Tuesday also sees Kathryn Tickell at The Zetland Centre, in Richmond, but the last I heard, this concert was already sold out, so make sure you phone the venue before venturing out on the offchance.

I’m at jez@jezlowe.com for all your folk news, blues and views, and keen to tell the world all about it, so please get in touch.