Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj



User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,Laurence Show of Hands on BBC Breakfast, UK (59* d) RE: Show of Hands on BBC Breakfast, UK 18 Feb 10


I googled the interview this morning to see if I could find it online and came across this thread. Alas I was one of the many already sat at my desk by the time this was on TV. I suspect it will probably appear on iPlayer at some point so I'll keep looking.

I do, however, feel compelled to reply to Ed's remarks that Show of Hands are 'pop' (I assume this remark was supposed to be derogatory). I am the ripe old age of 26 and as well as being an enthusiastic musician myself, I am also a big fan of traditional/folk music (whatever you care to call it). I frequently attend live shows and sessions all over the country and am often saddened by the distinct absence of younger people in the audience. Is it a bad thing that Show of Hands are making 'popular' music? No. There often seems to be an attitude that any folk musician who is successful or reaches out to new audiences has 'sold out'. Similarly, I get the impression that there are many out there who would prefer traditional music to remain the preserve of a select few (normally 60yo+) die hard fans.

The danger with all of this is that young people will be discouraged from nuturing an interest in traditional music and no one will carry all the fantastic stories and tunes on to the next generation of folk enthusiasts. Potentially, the musical genre that I love so much might die out.

In summary, whether or not you like Show of Hands, they shouldn't be criticised for raising the profile of folk music and reaching out to new audiences. In my humble opinion - Keep up the good work Steve and Phil!


Post to this Thread -

Back to the Main Forum Page

By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.

By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.
   * Click on the linked number with * to view the thread split into pages (click "d" for chronologically descending).

By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.

By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.

Try it all, you will see.