Thing is, Dick, the more "pop"-oriented acts might get the bulk of publicity in the US, but the BBC isn't just another station. It is a public service broadcaster, from whose airwaves advertising is still banned. Its sponsorship of one particular folk festival may well mean that other significant festivals get less of a look-in. They are even funny about what sorts of events you mention on their messageboards, while at the same time encouraging a big old Cambridge love-in on the very same boards, as if it's the only festival taking place this summer.

It would be nice to see the BBC acknowledging the breadth of folk activity that's out there by giving a bit more profile to festivals like Whitby, which don't simply feature the same lineups as every other festival, and strive to do something different. After all, if audiences are only ever aware of the very populist stuff, that's all they're going to explore.

I'm not saying that folk is unique in this respect. There are jazz and classical events subject to the same vagaries. I'm just questioning its integrity.

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-Joe Offer-