Well I am no expert but what is NOT folk music is easier to answer than what is. As with everything everyone has their own opinion the same as with Rock some people would rate Bon Jovi and others would rate Slipnot as being hard rock and belly-laugh at the thought of Bon Jovi.

My perception of folk especially as far as a festival goes is a damned good enjoyable gig for a fraction of the cost of watching a commercialised band and a good time is had by all. Especially good if it is a struggling local band. I enjoy Maddie Pryor, Irish Celtic bands, the Seekers (old), the Settlers, the Spinners, Pentangle, Faiport Convention etc. I also like Celtic Reggae mixes, can that be counted as folk? To me it is but to others it might be just experimental music. I've noticed that 'new' dreadlocked hippies now embrace some reggae at some of the venues that I have been. It isn't mainstream but can that be classed as a kind of folk or is that urban but then others call urban hip-hop.