ALCHEMY: Martin Simpson/Arieb Azhar

When is a banjo more like a sitar? When it's in the hands of English folk musician Martin Simpson, and accompanying the soaring vocals of Pakistani singer Arieb Azhar. Embarked on earlier this year at that mecca for musical discovery, The Sage in Gateshead, this is a significant collaboration between two of the world's most respected guitarists, whose combined influeces range from Afro-American and old-time to Balkan and gypsy music. This should be a great chance to hear elements of the earlier (free) 'Folk Nation' discussion in action.