In a world where teen heartthrobs, rap artists and reality show winners dominate the charts, it is heartening to learn that more than 300 folk festivals are staged each year in the UK. Now there is another to add to the list: the Homegrown Festival at The Met in Bury, Lancashire.
To music fans in the North West and beyond, The Met is known and admired for its specialist folk programme. As a centre of live music and an independent charity, it punches above its weight. In addition to its jam-packed annual repertoire, it is noted for its two performance spaces, a popular restaurant and the Edwin Street Recording Studio, not to mention a host of outdoor events including the boutique Ramsbottom Festival.

So it comes as no surprise that the The Met has attracted the very best in English folk to its inaugural weekend event. Although audiences will have the chance to sample rising stars from across the country, folk aficionados will welcome the opportunity to see the likes of Jim Moray, Martin Simpson (recognised as one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world) and Faustus – all in the intimate surroundings of the Derby Hall, a 162-year-old neo-classical Victorian building in the centre of the town. Other acts sure to appeal are the Emily Portman Trio, Skinny Lister and Gavin Davenport.
David Agnew, director of The Met, says:

Homegrown will showcase a number of talented individuals and bands that we have been supporting for years, as well as giving us the opportunity to welcome back bigger artists. It makes sense with the resurgence of folk music on the popular music scene that an official showcase should take place to help the development of the genre, along the lines of Celtic Connections.

Perhaps the only disappointment is the absence of Eliza Carthy who has been forced to pull out for health reasons. But Moray, one of the most consistently inventive musicians working in traditional folk music today, is sure to kick things off in style on Friday 26 October. A multi-award-winning artist whose latest album, Skulk, is his best yet, Moray is a pivotal influence on a new generation of folk musicians.
Moray tells the Northerner that he is looking forward to playing at the festival:

I've played The Met a few times. It's a nice size and has a good audience. Folk music pioneered the idea of festivals, the festivals are the heartland of folk in this country.
A huge part of the audience are the product of the 1960s and 1970s folk revival. People have grown up with it and their children have grown up with it. Folk music can speak to everybody but the songs take on some new meaning when you have had some life experience.

The Homegrown Festival is at The Met, Bury from Friday 26 October - Saturday 27 October, 2012.