WHILE no-one was looking, BBC Radio 2 have introduced another hour-long programme of folk music into its schedule, as part of their new overnight “playlist” policy. It pops up in the wee small hours, somewhat haphazardly, in the middle of the week, and it’s a good chance to catch up on new releases and old favourites. Meanwhile on BBC Radio 3, Kathryn Tickell has her own programme of World Music each Friday at 11pm. It’s a great show, but apparently the BBC think that we folkies sleep during the day and only come out at night.

Our own local radio folk shows, hosted by Rebekah Findlay and Liz Franklin, also hit the spot, and at a more user-friendly hour, and Mark Radcliffe’s weekly Radio 2 show is still going strong every Wednesday at 7pm. Most of these shows are available on line at a time to suit ourselves, so there’s no excuse not to keep in touch with all things folky nowadays.

There’s live music in abundance across the region this week, starting tonight at Darlington’s Copper Beech with George Welch and Stewart Hardy, and a choice tomorrow of the Oysterband, the trio version, at The Witham in Barnard Castle, while at The Python Gallery in Middlesbrough there’s song and verse from Rebekah Findlay, Andy Broderick, Jane Burn and Peg Powler. Saturday’s choice is between guitar-great Sean Taylor at The Earthbeat Centre in Saltburn and Luke Daniels at Gateshead’s Sage, and on Sunday we can choose between Tyneside trio Jib at South Shields Customs House, Canadian superstar Loreena McKennett at The Sage and popular duo Broom Bezoms at Gosforth Civic Theatre.

Finally, don’t forget that the first Newcastle Bagpipe Festival is happening this weekend, centred around The Globe and St James and St Basil’s Church. Details at the Northumbrian Pipers website.