Post-Christmas musical hangover (From The Northern Echo)

Post-Christmas musical hangover

4:38pm Thursday 29th December 2011 in Folk By Jez Lowe, Folk Music Columnist

THE post-Christmas musical hangover makes this a somewhat barren week, but allows me an opportunity to take stock on what has been a watershed type of year for folk music here in the UK.

The pace we’ve seen in recent years couldn’t really be maintained in terms of exciting new acts emerging, as we’re all assimilating what is already on offer.

And look at how much of it there is, something that was highlighted earlier this month, when within one square mile of Newcastle there were separate concerts on the same evening, featuring Kate Rusby, Emily Smith and The Unthanks. An over abundance of riches or merely bad planning? once again the question remains, is there enough of an audience to go around?

The coming year could provide an answer to this burning question, so watch this space as the region’s folk clubs, and venues like The Sage Gateshead, Stockton’s Arc and Durham’s Gala continue to provide top class folk entertainment in the months ahead.

Sage events ahead include: Today, Northern Rock Foundation Hall, 1pm and 2.30pm. Early Years Big Family Sing and Dance. Tickets: £2.50.

Hall One, 2pm, Folkworks: New Rope String Band. Elements of circus, clowning, vaudeville, slapstick and sheer inspired silliness are spliced with acoustic music.

Tickets: £10 (concessions apply).

Saturday: Hall Two, 2pm. Folkworks: First Footing: Alistair Anderson and Friends.

Tickets: £10 (concessions).