I have no complaints whatsover about the Whitby Folk Festival - it's fantastic. I'm glad I don't have to try and book lodgings in that week though (having a caravan nearby) - every place booked solid (more or less) from one year to the next. The fact that Whitby is packed solid with thousands of folkies and appreciative holidaymakers (every year) speaks volumes for the popularity of this subculture.

Personally I don't have time to go to see any of the "headline attractions" as there's too much 'making music & dance' going on in many pubs across the town. Looking at the programme though, I don't get the impression there's any "rock bands" but plenty of genuine folk performers - a very rich seam of talent I might add.

I'm sure that "true folk afficianados" are well pleased with the whole thing. Sounds to me as though there may well be massive differences between the US and UK folk scenes.