"It seems quite regrettable that women seem to need (perhaps less in folk music) to look like Atomic Kitten to get a gig. "

Phew, that bit in brackets is a relief, Richard, I can forget about going shopping for a basque and fishnets for my next folk club floor spot!

Perhaps one reason many of us find the Pussycat-Doll posturing so ridiculous and unsexy is that the prevailing standards and fashions in the folk world are so different. Sure, there are folky women ( and also men) who are very attractive and exude sexuality, but it's generally something that comes across in a natural, unforced way, as part of the whole persona; a full-on floozie floor-spot would look simply ludicrous in a folk club, to both men and women - and, it has to be said, the average age of most folk performers would make this a difficult and unlikely feat anyway.

Happily, these things tend to balance themselves out, and most men in the folk world seem happy to keep company with what you might call "low-maintenance" women rather than pussycats in porn costumes.

Marje (low-maintenance woman)