Interesting to hear you say the costume detracts from the music & yet you obviously dress up for telling stories!

.... there's a difference?

I know a lot of musicians wouldn't be seen dead playing in a costume, but the way I think about it, lots of us wear a costume for Church, a costume for Weddings & funerals another for digging the garden, another for jogging etc etc So if I'm playing at a Medieval joust, I'd feel a bit of a prat, in a suit, or even a jumper & jeans.

That said, I can have just as much fun sitting around in everyday clothes, playing these earlier tunes down the pub. In fact, at our Saturday night Ballad Session, songs like The Black Velvet Band & Wild Rover are often played to the strains of a Crumhorn or Shawm!

Oh & yes, it's early music but looking at it from the Folk, Traditional side of the fence. :-)

Cheers
Dick