According to this artcle in the Guardian - folk music is now cool again

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1697703,00.html

The writer does point out the following -

There's one problem though. When the government proposed new anti-binge licensing laws, it included a clause that would have made it difficult to make music in a pub without a music licence. Amendments were made, but the informal forum for songs and expression of ideas for centuries has been inhibited. So Gordon, in looking for British roots, may well find his party's new laws have cut off the branches.