There is a youthful energy and simplicity about Sam Carter’s ensemble. Sam has developed from Best Newcomer in the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards into a seasoned and accomplished performer. He is engaging and entertaining.

Most of the programme at the Wiltshire Music Centre on Saturday night comprised his own songs and it’s always refreshing to hear original music. His songs are still those of a young man, slightly self-conscious, dealing with love lost and found and angst in relationships in general.

He seemed more relaxed when performing other people’s work, not least when introducing Shakenotes, a style he described as gospel punk or ‘ very loud hymn singing.’ It rocked and it was fun.

He is a supremely talented guitarist with a finger-picking technique that appears enviously effortless and he is not afraid to mix acoustic and electric guitar material. There’s no folky puritanism here. Clearly whatever works for the music is OK with him.

There is an obvious rapport between Sam, his bassist Matt Ridley and drummer Karl Penney. On Saturday they were joined by virtuoso fiddler and cellist Sam Sweeney, who first played the Bradford on Avon venue in 2001 as a 12-year old prodigy at the Wiltshire Young Folk Festival. He was also a soloist at Chippenham, Trowbridge and Devizes music festivals as a youngster. He is now a regular member of Bellowhead in addition to solo and guest performances.

Carter and Sweeney are old friends and this is reflected in their joyous instrumental and vocal harmony. There was an overall impression that the performers were enjoying themselves and that was infectious.