Travelling Folk, BBC Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

 A review in two parts this time - Before, and During.

In past years BBC Fringe shows have been held in their Big Blue Tent, or, last year, a Spiegeltent. Outside there was cafe seating, there might be a live act performing or other entertainment. As an audience member, the process of being called up to take your place was a part of the performance. The whole atmosphere was about fun and enjoyment.

This year, being fed into the bowels of Dynamic Earth, was more like being in an airline queue. No sense of occasion, slightly overbearing security procedures, and a corporate faceless efficiency. The hall has poor views of the stage for much of the audience, and feeling of being in a warehouse. I did have a ticket for another show next week, but this experience has put me off bothering.

Which is not to take away from the event itself. Radio Scotland's premier folk music show had laid on four quality live acts for the two hours. Regular host Anna Massie is funny, knowledgeable and engaging, did all the introductions and an interview with each artist.

First up was Gaelic singer Deirdre Graham, accompanied by Megan Henderson on fiddle and keyboard player Angus Lyon. A pleasant set, with sadness and jauntiness mixed in, and interesting explanations of the origins of the songs from Graham.

She was followed by one half of the band Tide Lines to play some stripped back versions of their songs. Robert Robertson on vocals and guitar, and Alasdair Turner on guitar, belted a few numbers of their highly competent, if a little simplistic, Folkpop. They clearly a good number of their followers in the audience, Anna quickly spotting the wee forest of band tee shirts, and got a strong reception.

The one non-Scottish act of the night came from the USA (via Belgium), in the shape of Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards, a very unusual string trio. Fiddle, cello and upright bass might sound like a very conventional line-up, but their playing style and arrangements are very different to most. Cortese plucks her fiddle as much as bows it, the bass lines are full of surprises, and musical influences draw from country, bluegrass, Sweden and Scotland. Laura has a strong voice, and writes very personal lyrics. A nicely varied set.

Headlining the show was Glasgow based powerhouse, the Kinnaris Quintet, complete with their trademark sparkly outfits. I'm a longstanding fan of their imaginative take on folk music, and they didn't let me down. Slow and moody, or fast and thumping, their arrangements are very much their own, with fiddles, guitar and mandolin weaving intricate patterns around the central melodies. What struck me most was the sheer drama of so much of their music. When is somebody going to commission KQ to write a film score?  A brilliant ending to an enjoyable evening of music.

And at least we didn't have to wait for our luggage to get out again.