Holmfirth Festival of Folk @ Cellar 88

Open Mic #3

The third open mic was in aid of the Holmfirth Festival of Folk.  I’ve had so many good times courtesy of the folk festival that I felt it was time to, as they say: "give something back!".  Not a lot of people realise how much hard work goes into making the festival happen, and that it’s all done voluntarily and on the back of donations from local businesses.

The night began with the Ribble Beck Band (pictured left) playing a few traditional tunes and I can’t think of a more suitable start to the evening given the folk festival context.  These guys can often be found at The Nook on a Sunday evening playing next to a roaring fire.  This is serious folk music and on this night the instrumentation included a fiddle, concertina, flute, guitar and boran.  Folking brill.

Mikey Kenny offered up a song by way of introducing the audience to the wonderful world of Ottersgear (see later), and then Dylan Brierley (pictured above) wowed the audience with his skilful playing and vocal looping looping looping.  Dylan is becoming well known as a performer around Yorkshire and further afield and has also won prizes for his song writing.  He's also a Morley Lad!

Alex Bywaters provided some information on the folk festival itself and some of this year’s acts.  The festival will be held from 10 to 12 May 2013 and includes artists such as Lau, Hex, Bella Gaffney, Fyrish, Jaywalkers and String Theory to name but a few.  There will also be a good number of ceilidhs and dance events to enjoy.

Kathryn Luxford came over from Bingley to join us on the night and she played some lovely ballads including one of my favourites “Fall with the Rain” which you can listen to below.  Kathryn will also be playing at Cellar 88 on Saturday afternoon as part of the folk festival.  The Saturday afternoon and evening sessions at Cellar 88 are shaping up to be a wonderful programme of live music from Yorkshire and further afield – check the website for details.

By the time Greg Paul played us some blues the place was getting pretty rowdy.  I’d always wanted this night to be as much about people enjoying themselves and having a bit of banter as well as being treated to some live music - but there is a balance, and on this Thursday night before the Easter Bank Holiday it was getting decidedly noisy.  The last thing I was going to do was ‘hush’ the audience because I'm not in favour of that approach; it leaves everyone feeling uncomfortable, including the musicians. Fortunately Greg has a strong voice and powered through the conversation with ease, and the room became quieter when a group of the loudest Easter revellers left the building.

We also had some powerful song writing from Paul Tunnicliffe and Andrea Stevenson (pictured right).  Paul runs a night called Beatitude at the legendary Puzzle Hall Inn over in Sowerby Bridge, so it was an honour to have him play my night.  He does a lot of good work for local music and I think he shares a similar vision to mine of combining good times with quality music.  Another female and male duo also graced our night in the shape of Stephanie Stephenson and Matthew Bentley with two excellent new songs - a real pleasure.

The night ended with an outstanding performance by Ottersgear, one of my all time favourite acts - you can read me waxing lyrical about them in my last blog.  It’s been too long since Ottersgear came to the Holme Valley and I wasn’t the only one to have thought so – the group had pulled in a good few fans to the night, people who shared my appreciation for Mikey’s vocal acrobatics and inspired music.  I was so glad they were able to come over from Liverpool and also pleased to announce that they will be back to Cellar 88 for the folk festival itself.

The Holmfirth Festival of Folk is a special event full of surprises and good times.  I’ve always enjoyed the vibe and feel of what goes on – even though I’m not a folky.  You can find out more about the Holmfirth Festival of Folk on the website below and make sure you come along to Cellar 88 on the Saturday where there will be live music from 1.00pm till late, a veritable festival within a festival with an open mic for one and all on the Sunday afternoon.

www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk

Listen here to Kathryn Luxford: