Leigh Folk Festival

June 29, 2015 by Ray Morgan

It's a sunny Monday morning but I can't help feeling that the day is a little dull. It's quiet; people are at work, or school, and there's no sense of festivity.

Mondays after the Leigh Folk Festival are always like this - reality of post-fest life hits, and we're still humming the songs we've heard all weekend.

I, for one, had a brilliant time. Friday night was a very special gig - one of the few ticketed events at the festival - seeing legendary guitarist Wizz Jones in the Fishermens' Chapel, supported by sublime folk musicians Crafting for Foes and Jason Steel. The chapel is a majestic venue; fairy lights lead the way through to the stage, and candles flickered as the audience drank cups of tea from nautical mugs. Wizz's guitar playing really was sensational, and his music filled the chapel's frankly gorgeous acoustics.

The next day, I roamed the scorching Library Gardens in Leigh with my camera and a pint of cider, wandering in and out of the two fields and listening to some truly great music. A highlight was Kadialy Kouyate, a kora player who brought some very chilled West African sounds to the proceedings. My 18 month old nephew also enjoyed bopping to Micky Denny's upbeat banjo playing!

The open mic competition took place in the cool respite of St Clement's Church where a supportive crowd enjoyed (incredible) scones and tea and the three judges crowned a winner, Joe Hazel, who brought wit and humour along with some cracking guitar playing. Joe was able to perform the next day as a prize so it really was worth participating.

In the evening, Dick Gaughan performed in the church in a concert organised to celebrate the lives of workers and the fight for peace, democracy and social justice. I was in Elsie's Place cafe where poets and musicians crammed into the cosy, vintage space, and there was ale and good wine and a generally warm vibe. Musicians Kevin Pearce and Plantman - both highly regarded in their own rights and I can understand why - rounded off the evening perfectly.

I was lucky enough to have the energy to stay up and see a gig in the Clarendon Scout Hut after the Elsie's gig - Lost Harbours played before headliners Diamond Family Archive. The hut was packed for this truly special midnight show, with atmospheric lighting and nature-themed visuals as a backdrop. The crowd sat, rapt, as the DFA fellows played guitar (with a bow), synth and drums to jaw-dropping standards, with beautiful songs of ravens and darkness. There was a moment when the entire crowd was moving to drummer Pete's beats, locked in a rhythm and in the moment. It was fabulous.

The next day, the weather was muggy and a little rainy, but that didn't keep the crowds away. The throngs enjoyed Americana, traditional folk, electronica and more, culminating in the headline show of folk heroes Trembling Bells, who always bring a touch of class to the festival. And now, it's all over for another year. And just like every year, I miss it already.

A huge well done to the team of organisers, who not only are all volunteers (!) but some of the nicest people you'll ever know. Find the pics and tweets from this year's fest at #LeighFolk15