Yes, I think the general consensus here is that (like his music or not) Seth Lakeman is good for folk music, because he brings in young people who then go on to discover other folk artists, just as Lizzie did with Cyril Tawney, by listening to Show of Hands (I'm glad you discovered Cyril through SOH, Lizzie).

As for Aran sweaters, I have one (I think, unless Mrs Scrump gave it to a charity shop years ago without telling me - it's not unknown for her to do that). I can't see myself ever wearing it these days, as I usually get too hot at gigs, even if it isn't that hot in the room.

Oops, before I get criticised for not keeping to the thread, I'd better bring Seth back into the discussion.

In my opinion, Seth should continue to avoid Aran sweaters on stage, and I would advise him strongly against adopting one. As anyone who has seen him perform live will confirm, his furious and frantic fiddling usually causes him to be dripping with sweat by the end of a gig, so wearing such a garment would be foolhardy in the extreme.