Well it could be that the 'traditional' musicians were only really tolerated on festivals where people came really to see the vibrant exciting contemporary songwriters of the period.

This kind of music that belongs in the woodshed, down on the farm, and whilst crossing Cape Horn, and on the cabin porch was sat through with not much real enjoyment.

Then came the edicts of the 1970's that proclaimed all singer songwriters were horribly introspective - (just egocentric 'head music' I've heard it referred to).

And it was found that playing slip jigs and the like was a skill many middle class types could get to grips with (a bit like needle point) but surprise surpise! It ain't much of spectator sport.

And now we're finding out who really were the self indulgent ones.

That's a vast over simplification - there are some people who can really make traditional music get up and dance - but alas - not all that many!