Top acts line up for folk fest

THE biggest "social occasion" on the Derbyshire folk scene will boast its best ever line-up this year.

That's the verdict of Mick Peat, of BBC Radio Derby Folkwaves fame, who organises the annual Traditional Music and Arts Festival.

Now in its third year, the event will take over the Great Hall, Darwin Suite and Guildhall over the weekend of October 9-11.

Folk favourites and emerging talent will get a showcase and there will be a craft fair, children's events and dance displays to enhance the family atmosphere.

Derbyshire-based folk star John Tams is the event's patron and will be among the award-winning performers.

The Eliza Carthy Band and The Poozies are among the nationally-renowned acts taking part.

Mick says: "We are expecting a near capacity crowd on the Saturday."

An inside festival with camping is still a rare event but Mick thinks the mix of Derby venues centred on the Market Place are perfect.

"People love outside festivals but not when the weather's not nice and it's so nerve-wracking putting on an outdoor event – you have no fingernails left when the time comes to it. It's much nicer and safer being inside with all the facilities.

"The Assembly Rooms is a great facility for this, it's almost better suited for a festival than a single event because it can accommodate so many things going on at once."

There will be more than 100 performers in all at the festival. It kicks off on Friday with a ceilidh featuring The Derbyshire Volunteers, probably the biggest ceilidh band in the country.

Following on is the nine-piece big band, Edward II, on their UK reunion tour.

Saturday's events start at noon with concerts, displays, a ceilidh and children's events with an afternoon performance by the Demon Barber Roadshow. Expect an energetic fiddle and punchy tunes from this 15-strong band of musicians and dancers, winners of Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. There are three concerts and dance displays in the afternoon leading to the evening concert with The Eliza Carthy Band, The Poozies, and Mawkin: Causley.

The Sunday "local heroes concert" starts at 1pm.

Derbyshire favourites John Tams and Barry Coope, Martin Simpson and Coope Boyes and Simpson will be performing. The festival concludes with those canny lads from the northeast, Billy Mitchell and Bob Fox, in a concert from 4pm-5.15pm.

There will be a real ale bar and food served throughout the weekend.

Mick adds: "I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Michael Marra, a Scottish folk singer, as he hasn't been to these parts before.

"Of the local singers I'm looking forward to seeing Bella Hardy, from Castleton, and Lucy Ward, a young singer from Derby.

"It's a big social occasion on the Derbyshire folk scene. It's quite laid-back, we don't rush anything. People have time to talk and move around. But it's still the best line-up of any weekend folk festival in the country."

DERBY TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

WHERE: Derby Assembly Rooms and Guildhall Theatre.

WHEN: October 9-11.

TICKETS: Weekend £52, family £114. Individual session tickets from £15, £35 family. Indoor camping £7 per night (must be booked in advance).

BOX OFFICE: 01332 255800.