Brummages.. (or What Is It Like Now?): 6 Sept 2009

This was our first visit to the Moseley Folk Festival, now in it's 4th year and rapidly gaining a strong reputation as a class event. There is no doubt that the booked guests were of the highest calibre but what appealed to me most (apart from the Purity ales) was the atmosphere and the sheer friendliness of everybody there, artists and audience alike. Temporary friendships were forged over a glass of ale and discussions of the proceedings. It was impossible to feel out of place.

There was a variety of craft stalls and a wide range of cuisine to keep the hunger away.

I enjoyed it very much and look forward to next year.

This is my impression of the day, I'm sure others will have similar recollections.

When we arrived, Liz Lawrence was performing, and a diverting performance too.

The popular and skilled guitarist Wizz Jones entertains from the main stage.

An impromptu instrumental session amongst the craft stalls.

Hunter Robertson brought his distinctive claw-hammer banjo style to the festival.

The pond in the park. Large balloons floating in it reminiscent of scenes from "The Prisoner".

There were a 'few' people at the festival, and quite a few more behind me.

On the Lunar stage, the Klatch Band. Traditional music with a distinct Jewish flavour. They gathered a large crowd in a matter of minutes and I had to try hard to refrain from my Topol impression from the Tradition song in Fiddler on the Roof. Excellent.

The Bad Shepherds. I'd never heard of them as a band although I had heard of several of the members. Punk-folk, I read in the programme*. What the...? Why here?

They were one of my highlights of the day... skillfully entwining traditional folk with a funkier element. Headed by TV comedian Adrian Edmondson, vocals and "thrash mandolin", he was joined by (l-r)

twice All-Ireland Fiddle Champion Andy Dinan, accomplished musician Troy Donockley (here with the Uillean pipes), (Adrian), and ex-Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull guitarist Maartin Allcock.

*ps the programme was full of festival information, line-ups, site maps, background info on the acts and local information.... NOT full of adverts for local take-aways, laundries etc. AND there was a folk CD included. Impressive.

Troy and Adrian.

Ella Edmondson, daughter of the above Adrian Edmondson and comedienne Jennifer Saunders, performs on the lunar stage after misappropriating the Bad Shepherds fiddler Andy Dinan.

Folk stalwarts Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick.

Tyburn Jig relax with a drink after entertaining the crowds with tales of swashbuckling adventures. Here Captain Jeremiah Obadiah (Jon Freeman) poses with his companion of misdeeds Captain Patience "Red-Handed" Flint, famed far and wide as captain of 'The Crimson Storm'.

For further information on Exeter-based Tyburn Jig go to Tyburn Jig Theatre.

Frogmorton take to the Lunar stage. I've posted a slightly curtailed video on YouTube at http://tinyurl.com/nsrm2y

Balloons and ribbons floating above us add a festival feeling.

Cara Dillon sang some haunting traditional songs... I think I'm in love - {sighs}

Cara leads her band with the fiddle.

A last glimpse of Cara and co. - {sighs}

The final act of the evening, Jethro Tull, and we are actually at the front albeit at one end of the stage. Here's bassist David Goodier with "one-legged" flautist Ian Anderson.