"Of course Sidmouth is the only folk festival in the world, so it's very sad that it doesn't book all the performers in the world every year."

LOL!!

I did say earlier in this thread that one of the things I think is so interesting about Sidmouth is the vast range of activity on offer. A dozen different people could each have their own Sidmouth, as it were, and barely cross each other's paths.

While the big name acts are important for profile and revenue, for me they're not really what Sidmouth is about - and anyway, they all get around a fair bit. The Demons, for instance, played Cropredy (which takes place towards the end of Sidmouth week, so maybe they just had other things to do?) and are launching their new road show at Towersey. If someone wants to see specific acts, there are over 300 folk festivals in the UK where they will no doubt be able to do so. It would be dead boring if every festival, incuding Sidmouth, all booked the same acts (though there are Mudcatters who will argue that that's pretty much what happens anyway).

It's no use having a tanty just because the only festival you actually attend is the one in your town, and they don't book your favourite bands every year.