Fiddles, feather headresses, and of course, a large dose of folk

This year’s Big Session festival saw an amazing array of folk and acoustic artists taking to the stage to wow ale-chugging crowds with their musical delights. Re-iterating the undeniable resurgence in the folk genre, Big Session ’10 had something to offer all types of folkies, from the Oysterband-loving die-hards to the younger fans in search of something a bit more modern. As ever, Big Session delivered, and with incredible style.

Friday’s weather didn’t help the weekend to get off to the best start, with thousands being forced to erect tents in the rain. But undeterred, as soon as the music kicked off, the punters were out in force. One of the best things about Big Session is its ability to cope with all weather scenarios – an indoor stage and two tents mean that even in the drizzle it’s possible to have a good time. Those sampling the delights of what seemed like hundreds of different real ales in the Orange Tree tent witnessed the delightfully open and honest Refuge, an acoustic five piece singing heartfelt tales about mental illness. Following this was the amazingly talented Alexia Chellun, a Brighton-based singer-songwriter with both Greek and Mauritian heritage, making for a sublime mixture of musical influences. A beautiful voice and simplistically hypnotic guitar-playing made for a captivating and imaginative set, which saw many a crowd member offering to buy Alexia drinks after.

I caught up for a chat with Alexia before her set: http://www.thejitty.com/articles/alexiachelluninterview

Meanwhile, over on the Indoor Stage the eccentrically show-stopping Julian Gaskell and his Ragged Trousered Philanthropists wowed crowds with their unique brand of gyspy-punk-folk, whilst Day Riot brought their own modern twist on the folk genre to the Big Top. With styles ranging from folk to afrobeat, calypso to mariachi, every audience member appeared to be taken aback with the sheer size of the five-piece’s enthusiasm and passion. Vocalist Tamara Schlesinger’s glittery attire, complete with cheeky feather headdress was enough to put even the likes of Florence and Marina to shame! Definitely a group worth keeping an eye on.

And so on to Saturday, where a weak sun tried it’s very best to penetrate an unfortunately thick layer of clouds. Yes beginning each section of a review with what seems like an in-depth weather report is a tad dull, but the effect on the atmosphere of such a festival was intangible... punters hurrying past stalls and grassy areas in search of warmth and shelter. Warm and shelter fortunately sound-tracked by some great music. Steering clear of the beery aroma of the Orange Tree tent, I decided to check out what was happening on the main two stages.

Indoors, Tyde, a youthful and enthusiastic three-piece, brought nu-folk, complete with the increasingly fashionable fiddle, to the festival. Damien O’Kane’s relaxed and gorgeously executed set, oozing the atmosphere of his native Northern Ireland continued to stun crowds, as did a fantastically non-assuming show from hot new talent Nancy Elizabeth, who alongside bringing brilliantly glossy yet modest vocals to what really is an impressive venue in terms of acoustics, enjoyed football related banter with the crowd, just a day after England’s disastrous clash with Algeria in the World Cup. “It’s alright,” the Wigan-born singer says of the sport, “but it’s not rugby is it?”

Highlights over in the Big Top included last-minute additions to the bill One String Loose, a Welsh folk-fusion band with amazing energy and a lust for live performance. Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls undoubtedly stole the show though, with a high-powered set of classic folk fused with two undeniably strong personalities, making for a show full of steamy tensions and beautiful passion.

Finally, Sunday saw the sun shining properly for the first time, and boy did the festival-goers embrace it. I don’t think a single grassy patch was free, and the stalls selling various nick-nacks were awash with punters in search of souvenirs, the most popular of which this year seemed to be flowery garlands. Low-key bands such as the energetic folk-punk hybrids Pog (http://www.thejitty.com/articles/poginterview) drew large crowds to the Orange Tree tent, whilst big names still managed to draw punters inside to the bigger stages. Described as “the new Seth Lakeman”, the delightfully loveable James Findlay brought fiddle-playing into the modern age in the Big Top, followed by none other than Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, who thrilled crowds with an eclectic collection of traditional songs, alongside various covers. Said stage was closed by the crazily talented Jackie Oates, a Staffordshire-based singer and fiddle player with a flair for rejuvenating traditional English ballads and songs.

Meanwhile, the Indoor Stage saw the likes of Megson (a fresh and original take on the latest folk revival) and Dervish (undeniably Irish, and proud!) continue to enthral crowds.

Yet again, a successful weekend of folk tunes, which saw thousands of festival-goers left wanting more.

Thanks very much to Gail Cooke and the rest of the DMH press team.

By Rosanna Pound-Woods