Define current one

I think there is a new and qualititatively different folk revival going on. It is I think based around instrumental music rather than singing (which the first two were).

If you want me to expand on this I will give just a couple of examples. When I first started in folk music at the start of the 1960's there were few instrumentalists about. A melodeon player was rare. Name a 1960's melodeon player!!

Now there are loads of quality melodeon players about - we have more in Sheffield now than there were nationwide in the 60's.

Can I suggest a reason for this? Yes I can. I think this reflects the more "middle-class" nature of society, people can afford better instruments - for example and of course, tuition, things not necessarily available much before.

Many people going into a folk club will lament the lack of young people - yet anyone going to a festival will see loads of them. In sessions in Sheffield and the odd festival sessions I have attended there are simply masses of young people playing music. On all sorts of instruments.

A folk club is not conducive to instrumentalists (I would suggest) but a session is. A festival is a great place for like-minded people to meet.

There are other (more obvious in at least one area) as to why this is happening - but that's enough for now.

I stress this is not yet a "theory" and I need a lot more time to develop it. And I am happy to hear from those who want to contradict.