Hi Chas,

The performers who appeared at the Ceilidh were briefed to play for the crowd, if they were going to sing songs they were supposed to be standards that people could sing along to, failing that they should have a chorus that people could join in with. Some groups did try to follow instructions, but as you said the vast majority did not, the jam session that was going on back stage was ten times better than what was happening onstage.

The Sunday Shanty Session should have been "Spot the Shanty". It is not strictly speaking a shanty session but the instructions are to theme your material either to shanties or seasongs. Some did but they were very few. I have yet to look up details about the Swedish guy who came on and blocked the whole thing with lengthy introductions to his songs at both the Ceilidh and the Shanty Session complete and utter waste of time, at both the better acts seemed to get the least time.

But for all that I certainly enjoyed the festival, some very good singers and performers. I agree that 4 Wheel Drive were superb, they are regarded as being the best bluegrass band in Europe I believe.