Duncan McFarlane and his band were at Otley RUFC Duncan McFarlane needs no introduction to Otley folk audiences. He is a fixture at the Folk Festival, whether in electric or acoustic mode – usually both, in a variety of venues.

This month he met a largely new audience and blew them away. The Ilkley-Coutances Twinning Committee decided to welcome their weekend guests with some proper English folk music.

Otley RUFC was a very welcoming venue and Duncan McFarlane’s acoustic trio proved ideal performers.

Anne Brivonese on fiddle and Steve Fairholme on melodeon, Duncan on various guitars and all three on vocals gave a real insight into the genre.

Two sets mixed numbers from the latest album, Poachers Bold, with all the old favourites. Will Duncan ever get away without Turn the Bones Around, Can’t Go There Any More, Woodshed Boys and Robin Hood’s Bay? Would we want him to? No!

Consummate musicianship is all very well – and was there in spades. But the atmosphere Duncan creates with his banter/patter between numbers is very special.

This time – as ever – he had done his homework and captivated his audience with French historical and heraldic references, all presented with self-deprecating humour. Second encore was a stunning rendering of On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘At. Brilliant.

Merci, Duncan, from our friends across the Channel!

Judith Dunn