I agree with the piece about being part of a singaroumd.

Folk is a shared experience be it as part of that singaround circle or getting a couple of songs as a spot on stage; along with others who want to try a song or two - maybe thier first ever song on a stage.

What I detest is the big name 'concert' scenario - big name, no floor singers (or perhaps just an awful 'Resident' turn). This is simply the Folk wing of the music industry.

Of course there are plenty of punters willing to pay to see the latest 'big name' or old name doing the rounds. But it's not Folk as I understand it - it's a commercial concert with a folk 'product' being offered to the Market.

Folk is essentially participatory, and concerts offering a Folk product should really be called something else.

Ian Fyvie