Before the advent of television franchises like ‘X Factor’ and ‘Pop Idol’, newly created boy bands were introduced to their prospective fans through a rigorous string of school performances, where a carefully honed and heavily packaged product was foisted upon its target audience of teenage girls.  ‘Elbow Jane’s appearance at Edinburgh Folk Club was reminiscent of this, albeit aimed at the opposite end of the age spectrum – a calculatedly over packaged and sickly sweet marketing machine.

Lead Singer (and front man) Richard Woods, referred to the band’s musical style as ‘Acoustic’, yet more technical apparatus I have never seen on the Edinburgh Folk Club stage, ‘Acoustic’ they weren’t.  The huge floor stand bearing an uncomfortably posed publicity shot of the band posing with an inflatable palm tree presided over events as a two dimensional reminder that the ‘Elbow Jane’ circus was indeed, in town.

It is only a die-hard folkie who would understand the sense of relief as the Pleasance cabaret bar ceases its annual role as the Edinburgh Fringe's central comedy club - and begins once more to play weekly host to some of the finest folk music in the land.

Edinburgh Folk Club is to my mind, exactly what a folk club should be.  Its reliably high standard, friendly atmosphere and complete lack of cliquey in-fighting (which can be so easily prevalent within voluntary organisations with a "committee" at their core).