Some acts are ok, some are not

Sure. And then you don't buy CDs from the acts who clearly can't hack it in real life. :-)

The point is that bands do get a chance at it, almost regardless of experience and sales. So some obscure electronica folk get a slot and bore our tits off for 3 minutes with tinny bleeps and whistles - but so also does Martin Simpson get his 3 minutes to show the rest of the world what they've been missing. Or Bert Jansch, cleaned up and gig-ready again. Or Rodrigo and Gabriela, rocking out on flamenco guitars.

Graham.