Matt : you are essentially right, but remember that all that is what the Folk Awards used to do well. Previous presentations have been made by members of Radiohead, Blur, Pulp etc. I've also been told that they've offered a lifetime achievement to the likes of Dylan and Paul Simon several times over the last ten years, but both of them are unwilling to come and collect so the award goes to someone who'll at least turn up instead.

It all hinges on who'll be willing to turn up. Having said that, I've no idea what having Barbara Dickson was all about...

"My point is that there's a fundamental lack of understanding of how to place a niche music in a populist context. A folk awards should not compromise on its nominations and recipients. It should compromise in its presenters and featured performers. (In fact, I don't even regard the latter as a compromise.)"

I agree with this, although I'd disagree about the performers. The interesting thing for me, as a fairly big Laura Marling fan up to now, was how flimsy and insignificant she sounded compared to Chris Wood directly after her. Having people who "happen to play banjos" instead of the very finest the folk scene can offer is defeating the object unless they are genuinely there on merit.