When my father died last year I inherited a beautiful scarlet red Galanti accordion, it was an instrument I'd never heard him play. I doubted he ever did given he had little interest in music.

I also inherited a nice stash of 1970s pornography.

"For a moment I thought we were related," says Hutchinson in an email from England as we coordinated festival coverage.

"When my dad died I discovered a cupboard full of Playboy mags.

"And it was dad's fault I took up the accordion in the first place."

So we concocted a plan for Hutchinson to test drive my accordion when he got to town with his good mate Paul Sartin, as part of Belshazzar's Feast, one of the highlight acts of the festival.

The pair, who also play in many other bands, indeed Sartin is also performing in Canberra with trio Fautus, first joined forces in 1995, recruited to a band who were singing a protest song of sorts about a road being built near Sartin's home.

"I looked over and thought what the hell is that," says Sartin.

"He was sitting there with his instrument looking really grumpy. We never spoke to each other through the whole process, I wish it had stayed that way really."

There's a familiar banter between the two - "Familiarity breeds contempt," Hutchinson says - but that's all part of their appeal.

Festival director Pam Merrigan saw them perform at the Cambridge Folk Festival and was enchanted by not only their music but their stage presence and humour, she says.

As well as playing traditional folk favourites, they've been known to throw pop, jazz and classical numbers into the repertoire.

This is the first time Hutchison and Sartin have been to Australia and they're keen to see kangaroos, have a cold beer, and see the sights of Canberra.

Hutchinson's father Ted first introduced him to the accordion as a 17-year-old. In a strange turn of coincidences Hutchinson senior learned to play the accordion in Australia when he was serving here during the Second World War with the Royal Navy

"I think he would have liked it, knowing I was out playing it in Australia now," Hutchinson said.

As for my own father, he'd be happy to hear his accordion being played. Even happier knowing it will actually get a run throughout the festival thanks to South Australian musician Ute Schwarz who was attending Hutchinson's masterclass at the Ainslie Arts Centre on Wednesday.

Her accordion was damaged on the way to Canberra and she when she heard our little story she was keen to give my accordion a run.

The story continues now she'll play it over the Easter weekend.

With more than 900 hours of entertainment across 20 stages, the festival promises to be one of the best.

The National Folk Festival runs from March 29 to April 2, at Epic Canberra. Tickets available online and at the gate.