Folk Day at the Proms

Phil and I went to Folk Day at the Proms on Sunday. First we went to Kensington Gardens, and saw Bellowhead play a few numbers. They were on excellent form - lots of tunes to dance to - madly in the midday-ish sun. Then we were wandering over to another tent and saw Pete Cooper playing for a mini ceilidh, so we had a little dance in there, too...nice to see Pete and Sue, but a very long time since we've had a lesson. Soon it will be Whitby, and the folk week so we'll see Pete and Sue a lot more then.

Anyway, we went to look at the Serpentine gallery, and the striking outdoor structure before going to the Albert Hall and the free folk prom. It was amazing, in particular the four piece Musicasz, who then had a play off with the orchestra, joined by Folkestra. can't be more specific as we didn't have a programme.

Then there was a break, and we went to meet Di, Alan, Bernadette, Yasmin and Jim to go into the main evening prom. Phil and I managed to get tickets for the Ceilidh, but the others didn't. So the folk prom -  Bella Hardy, pretty and talented, the last two songs she played were the best. Martin Simpson - seemed to be playing/singing cover versions ! There was a song 'when a knight won his spurs...' that I'm sure we used to sing in assembly at primary school, also a version of Matty Groves - brilliant dark folk soap oper, a song about wishes, very beautiful, but I think was a Pete Seeger song. Thing is, loads of folk music is new interpretations of old stuff, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. Magical guitar playing. Perfect. 

Then....Bellowhead. This is the best I've seen them play, and that's saying something - I guess it helps that there was room to dance, unlike in Lewes - they really were exciting to watch, dance and listen to - all quite momentous being in the Albert Hall. To cap it all there was a Ceilidh - cleverly organised - rousing dance tunes, some played and danced at breakneck speed- a good warm up to Folk Week indeed. So Bellowhead, when are you playing at the Southbank again?