GRASSINGTON Festival, now in its 36th year, has repeatedly inspired locals and visitors alike by seamlessly blending the timelessness of the setting, the musical heritage of the festival, with the freshness of the line-up and youthful enthusiasm of the volunteer staff and attendees alike.

For tonight’s eagerly awaited show in the main Festival Hall, the marriage of timeless musical styles and traditional instrumentation with youthful talent led to two light-hearted, yet deeply engaging performances.

Support act Jess Morgan quietly entered the room, remarking that she hadn’t needed the regular five minute stage call due to the dry ice enveloping the backstage from the smoke machine. Thankfully, for all the visual haziness that persevered for this short set, there was an understated sonic clarity to the performance.

She sung beautifully, underpinned by rhythmic finger picking and tapping of the acoustic guitar that led these reflective songs on their journey. “Freckles in the Sun”, “Modern World” and “Natalie” were notable tracks that balanced sweet melodies with wistful, enchanting narratives.

Tonight offered my first impression of headline act Calan, a spirited quintet of talented musicians offering Welsh folk songs, traditional Welsh instruments and Welsh step dancing with contemporary arrangement and attitude.

Throughout Calan’s triumphant set, the driving rhythms of fiddle, clogs and strummed guitar immersed the colourful tales of warring dragons, tragic heroines, “Penguins” and “Penicillin for Breakfast” with an uplifting tempo that perfectly carried along the tuneful accordion, Welsh harp and eclectic vocals. It’s music that encourages audience participation and dance, and the crowd was left clapping along for more.

Folk music needs engaging, charismatic musicians and singers to motivate a younger generation, especially those carrying a strong regional identity, in the manner that The Unthanks, Seth Lakeman, Sam Lee & Friends and the recently disbanded Bellowhead have inspired in the last decade or so. We undoubtedly had some new champions here with us tonight.

by Damian Blackburn