Review by Hazel Davis

It’s a lovely idea; a folk festival with none of the hassle of having to camp, get muddy or walk eight miles from the nearest bus. And in the grounds of a stately home (Hatfield House) to boot.

Unfortunately for Folk By The Oak, all these factors transpire to make it not [...]

Beverley Folk Festival (June 2010)

Review by Hazel Davis

I definitely can’t deny that I’m prone to extreme emotion at folk festivals. Last year at Beverley it was the divine Jeni and Billy (more on them later) who prompted an outpouring of my love and this year it was Eddi Reader. Not that [...]

Review by Joy Thomas

‘Go and see Lail Arad!’ honked the folkingcool ed. ‘Lail’s amazing!’ Being called Joy, I obviously can’t help but be naturally cynical, negative and suspicious. When my expectations are raised this multiplies and I end up being all worried that the gig’ll be crap because I know I’m supposed to [...]

Review by Ruth Rosselson

Chorlton St Clement’s Church, Wednesday 26th May 2010

Churches seem to have to diversify to survive in today’s times and this Chorlton church seems to be very much a church-to-hire. Host to various regular exercise classes and toddlers groups, it is a major sponsor and one of the main venues during Chorlton [...]

Review by MR Wallis

So: Dot To Dot. On the one hand for £25 you have seven venues and a plethora of bands but on the other I walked away from my time there with this gnawing feeling of mediocrity: that it was alright. Perhaps it’s a combination of familiarity and the sweltering heat; I’ve [...]