FridayHaving parked my car precariously on the muddy banks of the River Avon, I approached the opening night of Warwick Folk Festival with some trepidation.

I needn't have worried. Within minutes, the laid-back and joyful atmosphere had won me over.

There was plenty of entertainment to choose from - a live band and dancing, continuous music in the Bridgehouse Theatre, and the main stage with covered seating for more than a thousand.

Send us your reviews by clicking here. Your opinions could be used on this website or in the Courier or Weekly News

We dipped into the theatre first to see Harriett Bartlett, an accordion player of great skill and a singer of promise. What a great venue this is for live music.

Then it was outside to the main stage where Malinky were in full swing. This Scots/ Irish five-piece band has gained rave reviews and appeared at the highly-regarded Celtic Connections festival. There were songs in English and Gaelic with a mixture of classic ballads and new songs with some amazing bodhran playing to keep the music moving and plenty of the audience on their feet.

It wasn't until after 11pm that top-of-the-bill Seth Lakeman took to the stage. Folksinger of the Year and with a cross-over single in the UK charts, there was plenty of anticipation for his band. His voice is powerful and dramatic, his violin playing extraordinary - especially when he sings at the same time, as he did on his best song so far, Lady of the Sea.

Maybe Seth could look at a few more ballads in his repertoire, I'm sure he would do them very well, but that aside, it was a memorable performance.

As we left the festival after midnight, small groups were forming, violins and accordions in hand, to play late into the night. John Howes

Saturday
The weather gods relented overnight and Saturday was blessed with bright sunshine and some warmth.

Warwick town was heaving as the twenty-plus Morris groups performed with huge amounts of energy and enthusiasm.

And what wonderful traditions these groups maintain - notably Black Swan and their exciting "rapper dance" - a traditional mining dance from the mid 19th century, Chiltern Hundreds with dances devised in the mill towns of Lancashire where brass bands would lead the clogged dancers with their bobbins at times of celebration and Armaleggan with their blackened faces and yokel attire delivering Welsh Border Morris.

By lunch-time the folk artists were on mighty form - Keith Donnelly has been a huge hit at festivals for a good few years and no more so than in Warwick where he had both young and old enjoying his anecdotes and traditional songs from his north-east roots.

The folk enthusiasts (and thanks to the many devotees who inducted this folk festival virgin) tell me the success of a group is, in part, measured by the patter between numbers and engagement with the audience. Expert at this were Tom McConville, the outstanding Newcastle fiddler with Aaron Jones (bouzouki/guitar) and Claire Mann (flute/whistle). So too Chris Newman (guitar) and Maire Ni Chathasaigh (harp) combining beautifully to produce the most intoxicating cocktail of Irish dance music and striking new songs. Newman was electrifying in, 'Tell her lies and feed her candy' and 'Stroll on', (reminiscent of Django Reinhardt) was a highlight on the main stage on Saturday evening.

Twin brother and sister, Mike and Ali Vass from Nairn - a fiddle/ piano combination, best known as exponents of traditional music in Scotland can sing too, with Mike accompanying on guitar.

Saturday night closed with a huge ovation for Altan, one of Ireland's finest traditional bands. Mark Kelly (guitar) drives the rhythm with an amazing series of chords across several octaves and contributes, too, to the patter humour.

Indeed, as the number of dancers in the aisles increases, he began to draw comparisons with Riverdance but held back due the possible current insensitivity of that bit of humour! Instead he encouraged the dancers to 'stay on the bank'!! The familiar line up of twin fiddles, guitar, bouzouki and melodeon forged their skills over 22 year on the road and deservedly were the hit of the night with the inevitable encore demanded.

Full marks must go to the organisers and administrators who delivered a well-ordered, calamity-free and hugely enjoyable event, where folk aficionados are at home with their own pint pots and delight in the freedom of walking anywhere with their beer, selected from well stocked real ale tents!
Clive Peacock

Sunday
The festival's Sunday programme was hit by the withdrawal of singer June Tabor due to illness. But there was plenty of musical talent around to make up for the loss.

The surprise appearance of the sun brought a good size crowd into the town centre for the street festival. Morris dancers seemed to be everywhere: in Castle Street, outside the Zetland Arms and the Rose and Crown in the Market Place. And with lunchtime diners sitting outside at the Tilted Wig and Lloyds there was a great festival atmosphere.

Singing Safari were first on stage in the Market Place. This choir was assembled from the local community by Chris Rowberry , and he did a remarkable job to blend such an assortment of singers into a singing unit in just six workshops at Hill Close Gardens. Their unusual variety of songs from around the world included subjects such as an initiation ceremony for young South African boys.

Next up were Kerfuffle, a young band from the East Midlands who are becoming a popular feature at many folk festivals around the country. Their enthusiasm rubbed off on the audience who were soon performing a Mexican wave as young children danced around in front of the stage. Their talented singer Hannah James combined her strong vocals with playing the accordion and some excellent clog dancing.

Down at the festival a bunch of Australian men, the Spooky Men's Chorale, invited blokes to join them in the Guy Nelson Hall to answer the question 'Is there a role for masculinity in the 21st century? The hall was packed (quite a few women sneaked in to see what was going on) and joined in what was essentially a choir practice. Their leader Stephen Taberner somehow managed to get everyone on their feet to produce a passable sound.

On the main stage veteran folk singer Steve Tilston played to a disappointingly small audience but demonstrated his song writing ability and first class guitar playing. His original songs such as 'Inch by inch to Cairo' are inspiring and many other artists have covered his work.

Another remarkable musician Vicki Swan teamed up with Jonny Dyer for a range of ballads and love songs. While Jonny spent a lot of time tuning his guitar, Vicki had the ability to pick up one of her many unusual instruments and play beautiful music within seconds. She is already an accomplished player of the Scottish Smallpipes. But watch out for her new instrument, the Swedish Nyckelharpa, with which she produces a stunning sound. Peter Gawthorpe