FolkingCool.co.uk

Folk By The Oak (Hatfield House) – July 2010

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 2010

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 [...]

Lail Arad, The Green Note, Camden 16 June 2010

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 [...]

Inge Thomson – Shipwrecks and Static (Navigator)

Review by Stephen Taylor

It has long been established that the nearer to a pole you live the madder you are. It’s the magnetotron rays that do it. Eskimos build houses out of snow and throat sing at each other until they summon the aurora borealis. Scandinavians split neatly into groups that venerate either Black [...]

Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds

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 [...]

When You’re Real – John McKeown

Review by Max Wallis

When You’re Real is John McKeown’s ‘official’ debut album to be released in August 2010. In 2009 he released an unofficial debut album. I’m just as confused as the rest of you. It’s annoying to have to always have age mentioned, but it’s a valid point that [...]

The Northern Road by Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys (Fellside)

Review by Glen Liddle

Traditional yet thoroughly contemporary, The Northern Road is an accomplished album with much to brag about. Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys’ follow-up to their 2008 debut, Light Up All the Beacons, offers a mature collection that oozes warmth and honesty through its sparse and uncluttered arrangements.

Jack’s uniquely percussive guitar [...]

Johnny Flynn – Been Listening (Transgressive)

Review by Hazel Davis

Hotly anticipated doesn’t quite do it. Eagerly awaited? So-longed-for-it-actually-hurt? And that’s just in my house. Ever since Johnny Flynn’s debut album, A Larum, landed in my CD player, life hasn’t quite been the same. It spoiled all other modern folk music and kickstarted the overused phrase, “Hmmm it’s good but it’s [...]

Beverley Folk Fest Proclaimers tickets sold out

Sorry guys….tickets for The Proclaimers’ headline performance at this year’s Beverley Folk Festival have now sold out.

There are, however, tickets for other individual performances available along with full weekend passes, although you’ll have to be quick as these are selling out fast too.

In our opinion one of the nicest UK folk festivals, Beverley takes [...]

Dot-to-Dot Festival, Manchester

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 [...]