"Fewer folk clubs for a variety of mainly economic reasons."
One of the great detrimental changes in clubs has been to replace resident evenings with paid guests - people have argued that this is to put more bums on seats - it certainly isn't an 'economic' move
Another excuse that doesn't make sense
It is far cheaper to run and attend a local club than it is a fesival - I believe you once suggested that the scene wasn't declining but was being replaced by festivals - if not you, many others have
Your economic argument is as full of holes as a string vest, I'm afraid
Jim Carroll