There are many small festivals that exist without grants, Miskin, The Fox & Hounds ect. and they are going fron strength to stength producing true folk music so your scenario of no folk audiences would not appear to true.I don't go to folk festivals to get a return on my income tax but to sing with my friends. What I am saying is there is a scale above which you lose the social side of folk which is its Soul! Grants and sponsership may help you get that scale but do not call if true folk, it is folk based caberet. Now that said some people may want that experience and why not but it's not my cup of tea.

See you in heaven!

                Jim