we had four times the number of clubs (at least), ten times the number of enthusiasts and singers (at least) our own labels by the dozen. ditto of magazines and journals and ten times the media presence than we have now.

Oh come on: we must have ten times the number of festivals now with the participation of much larger numbers of people. We have loads of informal sessions, whilst at the same time we have many arts centres putting on professional productions with good sound and lighting. As for record labels, there are hundreds rather than a handful now that artists have the possibility of running their own independent ones, with much higher production standards. We have a number of thriving national news stand specialist magazines (none back then), strong web presences (none back then) and far more sensible general media coverage where the music is treated fairly, even if still not enough. Against that we have a decline in folk clubs. But overall it's immensely better for the music and lots of the music is immensely better. Surely only somebody who lives a fairly sheltered life can't see that?