John, in my book, they should be worried....The Devil's Interval should be playing to a mixture of ALL ages....What's going to happen when the older audiences move on to er...elsewhere?

The mix isn't right in the English folk world. It needs far more young people in the audience...and one thing, I think, that keeps them away is the kind of supercilious, obsessive, train-spotter attitude that's certainly followed me around for years.

From Shaneo:
>>>>The annual fleadh cheoil in Ireland attracts half million people each year. With a mixture of traditional/folk music , it's the biggest concert in the world. If you have never been, come along and bring an instrument and join in with the many street bands.
This event has a hugh impact on keeping the tradition alive.
It's not just trad. music that's played , every corner of the street folk bands are entertaining the crowds .<<<<

Half a MILLION people? That's AMAZING!

So...what are the Irish doing right, that we're doing wrong then?