Captain,

"However, if there really is a renaissance around the corner and new blood is beginning to flow in old veins, then let's celebrate. The day when at least half the audience and the performers at a traditional music club are under 30 is when I'll really celebrate, however."

This is a very fair point and we are a long way away from it in audience terms....and I wouldn't say that Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club only serves up traditional music.....but it is 95% music in the tradition.

However, if venues don't exist then the audience will never be young because there won't be anywhere for them to go. Certainly I could put on a guest or 2 under 30 every month without reducing the quality.....and we have most months (we're not too far from Newcastle and the vast pool of young folkiness there).

With my performers hat on, we play at a lot of "acoustic" as well as "folk" venues and our mixture of traditional (British and American) and self penned (but mainly "in the tradition")stuff goes down well with what is generally a slightly younger audience.

Your cup does seem rather half empty...and you have done a little "yes butting" to anything positive.....you should come and visit KFFC some weekend (we are on on a Saturday night....hurray!) maybe we can put a smile back on your face?

Cheers

Paul