I disagree. For about twenty years now, the agents have had a malign influence.Promotiing very dull acts.

I suppose its come from the knowledge that social secretaries at colleges,and frequently people booking folk festivals don't have a clue about acoustic music, and anyway they'll have moved on by next year. So earning a rebooking doesn't matter.

THe deals that at one time were done at street level by folk clubs are no more. Another by product of the diminution of the clubs.