DURHAM’S Gala Theatre steps up to the mark next Tuesday night with a truly remarkable concert as part of the Feast of Fiddles tour. This star-studded gathering of instrumentalists get together every few years or so, and present a memorable evening of astounding instrumental dexterity and entertainment that has truly become a highlight of the folk calendar. From the ranks of some of the leading folk bands of their day, the likes of Chris Leslie, Brian McNeil, Peter Knight, Phil Beer and local lad Tom Leary are backed by an equally illustrious rhythm section to hit the folk-rock pedal hard from start to finish.

It’s not a gig to miss if you’re a Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Battlefield band or Show of Hands fan, or if you just like a fiery night of top class music. Elsewhere in the region this week, I’m back with my Pitmen Poets pals, Benny Graham, Billy Mitchell and Bob Fox, for the last time at Alnwick Playhouse tomorrow, and then on Saturday, John Kirkpatrick is at Washington’s Davy Lamp. John is no stranger to folk rock himself, with a CV that includes Steeleye, The Albion Band, Richard Thompson and currently the newly-reformed Brass Monkey.

His solo performances are pretty dynamic too, and he’s a firm favourite with the Davy Lamp crowd.

On Sunday, two Yorkshire sisters with a remarkable repertoire of traditional songs, Ruth and Sadie Price, are at The Customs House in South Shields, and on Monday, we can pick between the evergreen Jim Bainbridge at Stockton’s Sun Inn, and badlads- on-the-block Loose Connection at The North Briton in Aycliffe Village. Tuesday has Fake Thackeray at Cramlington’s Concordia Centre for a fine tribute to one of the country’s wittiest songwriters. I’m trailing the nation’s motorways as usual this week, but can be reached at jez@jezlowe.com for news of all your thrills spills and quadrilles.