Back for another year, The Beyond The Moor festival has developed a strong reputation as being a cornerstone in the local promotion of world class folk.  Built out of a mix of traditional and contemporary work, this year’s day event showcased some of the most exciting artists both in the region and also in the nation; bringing together folk in a style that was both accessible and inspirational. Taken over the day, the beauty of live folk, perhaps, is it’s sense of community – particularly in the way performers will introduce each piece, explaining the history and story of their set-list and how (and why) they were chosen.  Often it is the story and the context that provides just as much enjoyment as the musical performance itself, which, aligned to the sense of community, is often heavily participated by the audience with combinations of clapping, stomping and howling.  As today shows, when folk gets going, and everyone plays their part, there can be very few equals to the communal spirit of a show.

Opening from 3pm, with the Newcastle University Folk, the day splits between performances in the main Civic room and Studio – allowing the music to continue as stages and setups changes in the alternative.  Nev Clay, Andy Watt and Ceitidh Mac offer early/mid afternoon wonderful sets before a short break kicks in roaring back with a storming set from duo Ross Couper and Tom Oakes who’s guitar/fiddle combination, and cluster of traditional and original marches, is sensational to watch.  The optimistic Mr Sutherland stands out in a genuinely jaw dropping set.

By the time it gets to just after 7, there’s still three acts to finish off the day, with Eddie Doyle, Martin Simpson and Kathryn Tickell all maintaining a solid intensity and finishing off a strong day.  Once again well done to the organisers and the players of this years Moor – the curation was well structured today and the musical prowess was staggering.  Fantastic.