What put me off Folk clubs when I was 19
was happy clappy singalongafolkies, trite unfunny comedy songs,
and raffle and bingo old fogey atmosphere...


Now then, as for pop and rock shite being performed in folk venues...

Try to remember the 1990s fad for MTV UNPLUGGED TV shows and CDs...
Established bands and solo artists realised there was a lucrative new market for them
performing old back catalogue songs in intimate acoustic style.

In the UK this new emerging fashion perculated down to young teens
studying school and FE college performance arts courses.
So a generation of competant young singers jumped on the bandwagon
and swamped any opportunities where they could find an audience
for wannabe stars showing off their talents...

Local folk clubs were tailor made for their 'showcase' acoustic performances.
and in addition, more newer acoustic nights in pubs and clubs...

That first wave of unplugged kids are now knocking on 40,
but many thousands more churned out by performance courses
continue to be following after them...

Like it or not, this is now a very popular acoustic 'folkie' sub culture;
acoustic renditions of big pop and rock hits...

Then, the mumford 'softie folkie' phenomena inclined these positive enthusiastic yoofs
to put Hobgoblin trad folk instruments on their xmas lists...

That's enough for now - what I describe mostly predates the TV X Factor route to fame....

...don't get me started on the acoustic youth scene being dominated by public school kids...


One bonus however, cheap unwanted reasonable quality acoustic guitars in near mint condition in cash converters..

I got a 15 year old Yamaha for 50 quid... but it still reeks of perfume...