FOUR days of melodic revelry will begin today with the launch of the 2008 Otley Black Sheep Folk Festival.

The annual event, featuring well-loved folk stalwarts like Vin Garbutt and Duncan McFarlane along with a wealth of new talent, kicks off tonight and will run through to Sunday.

Organiser Steve Fairholme is looking forward to a successful festival, despite having to overcome several obstacles, not least the recent closure of one of most important venues, the Red Lion pub on Kirkgate, Otley.

He said: “We are in good shape and everything is ready. We’ve got a really exciting line-up this year. There are plenty of things for people to go to.

“Ticket sales have been going very well and are up on last year, despite the credit crunch!”

“But,” said Mr Fairholme, “we have had more than enough minor problems to get over on the way and some, like the Red Lion closing, that weren’t minor at all.

“It closed just after the festival programme went to print so it was the worst possible timing.

“The Red Lion has the best acoustic room in Otley so it is a real shame. We have been badly let down.”

He said the events that were due to take place at the Red Lion had been rescheduled and would all go ahead in different venues.

Finding room for all the events has been a headache for organisers.

Mr Fairholme said: “We’ve had the Summercross, the Red Lion and now the Three Horseshoes all close since last year, so we are three venues down.

“But you’ve just got to get on with it, and I’m pleased we have got so many outstanding acts.”

Among the more famous names on the bill are Chumbawamba, best known for their punk-pop hit Tubthumping – and not the first name you would think of for a folk festival.

“Chumbawamba have dropped their old sound now,” explained Mr Fairholme, “and are an acoustic band who also sing a capella.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing Coope Boyes and Simpson, who are simply the best capella trio in the country.

“Vin Garbutt is always a favourite because he sings poignant and political songs and has a fantastic sense of humour, which is a great mixture.

“We also have some great youngsters, like Kerfuffle, Ruth Notman and Toothless Mary, an English ceilidh dance band. They are all very young, very good up-and-coming artists.”