MORE and more people “in the know” are suggesting that the future of folk music is on the festival stage, rather than the small venue scene.

How musicians and singers are supposed to develop their act and hone their repertoire, not to mention support themselves beyond the festival season, doesn’t seem to figure in the equation. Movements like Folk 21 organisation, who will be very visible at many UK folk festivals this summer, are trying to stoke up the fire among the small venue promoters, in the hope that the grass-roots circuit of regular gigs continues to flourish. Watch out for Folk 21 if you’re out and about this festival season.

Here in the North East we’re lucky that the club circuit still thrives, as it has done for the last fifty years, but it’s hard work for organisers and enthusiasts, and I hope they know how grateful both performers and audiences are. Just look at the quality acts that are in the region in the week ahead. Tonight, top songwriter Pete Morton is at The Copper Beech in Darlington. And tomorrow Martin and Eliza Carthy are at St Andrews Church in Grinton. Also tomorrow, I’ve been asked to mention a gig at Sherburn Village WMC, in support of acquiring a new community banner for Durham Big Meeting, with the bands Struggle Buggle and Dennis on the bill. I’m not sure how much folk music will be played, but it’s a very worthy cause. On Saturday there’s a rare solo show by Stu Luckley at Washington’s Davy Lamp, with local band Backshift sharing the evening, and on Sunday there’s another of Jack Burness’s Flash Folk extravaganzas at Crimmons in Lanchester, from lunchtime onwards. Finally, on Monday, my old mate Gerry Hallom makes a rare appearance at Stockton’s Sun Inn, with songs from Australia and more.