The Cellar was packed with a more bearded, Guinness-quaffing crowd than had ever darkened its door before at this taster event for the 2004 Oxford Folk Festival. But an enthusiastic lot they were, and more than toes were tapping by the end of the evening, with much cavorting taking place to the bluegrass/country/Cajun/rootsy strains of the young foursome known as Ten Gallon Hat.

Opening was singer-songwriter KTB, a.k.a. Katie Bennett, younger sister of the lads from local band Goldrush (responsible for Steventon's annual indie festival, Truck). With an impressive range of her own quirky material, a bluesy quality to her voice and an evident talent with the guitar, she wooed the crowd with her relaxed, professional stage manner and amusing musical musings. All very impressive indeed for a nineteen-year-old who stormed her way onto the folk scene relatively recently, yet who has already been a finalist in last year's BBC folk awards, and supported folk mega-star Eliza Carthy at her most recent appearance in Oxford.

Next up were the two Johns: Spiers and Boden, a traditional duo a little longer in the tooth than KTB but busting with energy nonetheless. On fiddle and a seemingly limitless number of piano accordions, the two stormed their way through morris tunes, trad English songs and much more to the delight of a rapturous audience. Creating the sound of a full band between them - this time particularly by virtue of the addition of a specially miked-up stomping board beneath Spiers' feet - the duo have to be experienced live to be believed.

After an interval featuring the traditional folk club raffle - hosted by Siobhan McAndrew and picked by stalwart of the Oxford folk scene Graham Metcalfe (beard to rival ZZ Top) - it was the turn of Ten Gallon Hat to strut their stuff. Off to a somewhat shaky start due to technical problems, they got into their stride in the end, and the joint was soon jumping.

Festival organisers Siobhan McAndrew, Tim Healey and Jo Heatley have already done sterling work towards ensuring that 2004's will be one of the best local festivals on the circuit. Headlining are old favourites Steeleye Span, and Martin Simpson, The Spiers and Boden Big Band, The Oxford Waits, Magpie Lane and many more acts are also already confirmed. Tonight was a very effective demonstration that some of the most versatile and talented musicians in the country today can be found on the folk scene - and a good sign that 2004's festival will be a stonker. View full details at www.oxfordfolkfestival.com, and book your tickets while you still can.

Su Jordan