Perhaps it's because February is a short month; perhaps it's because everybody thinks the weather will be good.

Whatever the reason, February just seems crammed with events, every weekend throwing up a pile of interesting-looking musical acts coming to town.

And, actually, it can't really be the weather, because two of the three things I'm going to write about this week are indoors. The big one, however, and we'll start with it, is outside and is entering its fourth year.

The Tauranga Katikati Acoustic Music Festival has it all (aside from a snappy name). There are blackboard concerts, shows by touring bands, workshops, food and drink, camping and pretty much all you could hope for from a small acoustic festival being held, once again, on Paul and Penny's orchard at 156 Work Road, Aongatete.
It's happening next weekend, kicking off on Friday night (21 February) with a free blackboard concert. Then, next day, there are things happening from 10.00am. As well as a host of local folkies there are some highly-esteemed acts jetting in from around the country.

Looking at them, the biggest first (band size as opposed to height, girth or fame), there is Hobnail, who were once called Hobnail Boots. They're a rocky folk band out of Wellington who started almost twenty years ago in a distinctly Irish style but have since drifted into wider territory, taking on board a more Americana influence. Band leader and songwriter Rob Joass was in town last year as part of the Too Many Chiefs tour alongside Wayne Mason and Andrew London. Rounding out the quartet are Jo Moir (fiddle), the voice and guitar of Bonnie Riley and multi-instrumentalist Hamish Gore.

Then there's Scottish singer Owen Hugh (who, as has been pointed out, appears to have a Welsh name), a man with eight albums under his belt, a guitar and a 'silver voice” (so Hattie's Live Music Guide once described him). Owen prefers the label 'new acoustic” over 'folkie”, and has solid credentials in the folk scene, having played many of the folk clubs in New Zealand and the UK. He's also appeared several times at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and at the Cambridge Folk Festival.

The third headliner is Rachel Dawick, a New Zealand musician whose voice has been described as merging the grit of Mary Gauthier, the lilt of Joan Baez and the depth of Natalie Merchant. In 2010 Rachel returned to New Zealand after 8 years in the UK to develop a project researching women's lives in the 1800s and turning those into songs which now comprise two albums. She'll be bringing a band (of which I know absolutely nothing).

There's also word that legendary Auckland folkies Beverly and Al Young will be making an appearance. They're brilliant! Tickets for the Saturday are $25: you can find more details on either the Katikati Folk Club or Tauranga Acoustic Music Club websites.
But this is a busy weekend. There are choices.

Also on Friday night, the Art Gallery are presenting another musical evening, this time quirky Francophile neo-jazzers the Mamaku Project. While a little tricky to describe, the six-piece band are led by two French Kiwis and are touring to promote their new album Twigs of Gold. They will also be accompanied by special visuals from Lupavision.

OK. I know that's a bit of a hard sell if you've never heard of them. For a better idea of their eccentric sounds check out the Tom Waits' rhythms on their first video from the album at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VkfySzAM8s – it will be an extraordinary night! (Tickets are $30.)

And then there's Graham Brazier...

New Zealand's most legendary frontman (sorry Jordan) is being hosted by Brilleaux at Drivers Bar (11 Ave shopping centre) on February 22. This is part of a new plan by the R&B band to bring iconic Kiwi musicians to town and will see Graham presenting his one-man show, in which he mixes stories, poetry and, of course, songs from his long and turbulent career. Brilleaux will also be playing, in acoustic mode, and probably backing Graham as well.

This could be brilliant. On a good night Graham is mesmerizing on stage, a true artist
with a great bag of songs to dip into, from Hello Sailor material to his own inimitable tunes ('Billy Bold” anybody?). Tickets are $25 from the bar.
Francophile neo-jazzers the Mamaku Project.