Let's face it - folk clubs are not dead - they are de-composing !!

(F13) Harrogate has done more than any other club I know to encourage young people, with regular extended 'floor spots' and an annual 'youth night'.

My observation of young people and folk clubs is thus :-

A young person will come in, play their 1 or 2 songs and leave (i've also seen an increasing number of adults do this). They are not 'in the club' as such.

One young person told me of his local folk club "I don't go there, it gives me the creeps". He was not talking so much about age difference as 'mind set'.

Folk clubs are seen as a clique. Young People have no affinity with the audience, so they have nothing to give.

As for the mis-guided concept that folk clubs are fullfilling a role by providing a place to 'learn their craft' , a platform for improvement' and a place for 'free expression.

Take a look around your local town. How many venues are offering an 'open mic night' or 'acoustic jam' .

These, along with, schools, colleges, youth clubs etc provide far more young person friendly opportunities.

Folk Music is alive and in good hands

IT'S THE FOLK CLUBS, THAT ARE NOT !