'Bigger and better' Barney Jam hits all the right notes

ORGANISERS and musicians are celebrating a “bigger and better” Barney Jam after more than a dozen acts descended on the town for a day long festival.

Performers were drawn from across the region to play at eight venues in Barnard Castle, starting at the Cricketers Arms and concluding with an after-show party in the Raby Arms.

Singer-songwriter Toni Sidgwick, a member of the organising committee as well as one of the performers, said all involved were “really chuffed” at how the second Barney Jam had gone.

“We were bowled over by the support from everyone. We couldn’t have imagined so many people turning out, there were definitely more than last year,” she said.

“The quality of music was excellent, as we knew it would be, and we hope folk discovered some new music and the bands made some new fans.”

She added: “The after party was brilliantly attended. The bands rocked downstairs to a bustling room, while upstairs we had The Thieves and Keiran Rowe putting on brilliant acoustic sets followed by many artists having impromptu sessions.

“This was particularly pleasing as it was what we’d hoped would happen. I guess that really highlighted the musical community feeling we wanted to generate.”

The event also raised hundreds of pounds for the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK, whose volunteers were out with collecting buckets at the venues.

The day kicked off with a performance by Upset Beat, a five-piece group based at The Hub, in Shaw Bank, all aged 16 and under.

Keyboard player Lucy Todd explained: “We all had individual lessons at The Hub and the teacher Pete Bousfield brought us together.”

Bela Green and Charlie Barlow, who perform as Moonshine Grove, played at the Golden Lion.

Mr Barlow, from Durham, said they had heard about the Barney Jam after coming through to the town for an open mic night. He said the event gave the duo a chance to play their own songs.

“The jam is a great idea. It’s good for the town and in aid of a great cause.

“We can play what we like and it’s not what people would normally hear.”

Ms Green, who has recently moved from Brompton on Swale to Barnard Castle, said another great thing was the chance to hear the other bands and performers.