FOLK fans in north Wiltshire have a pair of treats in store, as two acts which feature some of the genre's top names are playing locally.

Pioneering folk trio Faustus, who have just released a brand new EP Slaves, hot on the heels of their acclaimed album Death & Other Animals, are playing on Saturday, at Black Duck Folk at Sutton Benger Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Faustus is made up of three of the best-known and talented English folk musicians – Paul Sartin (Bellowhead, Belshazzar’s Feast), Benji Kirkpatrick (Bellowhead, Seth Lakeman Band), and Saul Rose (Waterson: Carthy, Whapeazel, War Horse).

During 2016 they were artists in residence at Halsway Manor, the National Centre for Folk Arts in Somerset, where Death and Other Animals was recorded.

Their gig will feature work from the album and the EP, which has a mix of live and recorded tracks, with familiar tunes and two brand new waltzes.

Tickets, £14, are available now from 07415 861597 www.wegottickets.com or www.blackduckfolk.justfluff.com

On Monday, folk-rock institution Feast of Fiddles are playing at The Neeld in Chippenham. They have just released their sixth album, Slight of Elbow.

The band that has been variously likened to a “group of geography teachers” or “Bellowhead with bus passes!” doesn’t seem to be slowing down any, 23 years after they first got together, and the collection of musical friends put on a show of huge dynamic range performed with passion, joy and a liberal dose of fun.

The make-up of the group can change between performances, but typically includes fiddlers Peter Knight (Steeleye Span), Chris Leslie (Fairport Convention), Phil Beer (Show of Hands), Brian McNeill (Battlefield Band), Ian Cutler (Bully Wee), Tom Leary (Lindisfarne) and Garry Blakeley (Band of Two) ahead of a rock back-line of guitars, keyboards, sax and accordion – all held together by legendary drummer Dave Mattacks. A live music entertainment like no other.

Sleight of Elbow is something of a departure for the band as it features a lot of original compositions from within the band and only a single traditional tune. One well established feature of the band features heavily: Feast of Fiddles' arrangements of tunes from other genres, film or TV.

Tickets for the Chippenham gig are available now from (01249) 446699 or at www.neeld.co.uk