It does seem to me that with the possible exception of The Unthanks, there are no 'big acts' among folks younger generation who have managed to successfully step consistently as headliners of the major festivals. This years bill toppers at Cambridge were in the main well over the other side of 50. During their time, Bellowhead were the obvious exception and Eliza Carthy's Wayward band showed promise but all in all it seems to me that no-one has been able to fill the void that is being created by the ageing of Folks greatest performers. Similarly, Irish music seems to be affected by the same issue.

Also, the meteoric rise of some solo performers who could loosely be described as a folk singers has contributed to the problem as they have shorn folk festivals of younger 'star attractions' simply because the performers know they can perform in Wembley stadium as opposed to the main stage at Cherry Hinton.