What is the future of folk music?

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: glueman
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 01:20 PM

"Do you have kids? Are they interested in folk music?"

Yes and yes. The internet age has delivered a wealth of readily accessible information on folk music which kids can readily access. My guess is the playing and appreciation of folk music will grow stronger and take its place among more recent traditions such as rock music.

The 100% dyed in the wool folk fan may become a rarer beast as the 50s and 60s revivalists pass on but I beliieve folk music's popularity will increase as new perspectives and artists come along.

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:52 PM

One of the upsides of music sharing is that young people are exploring a far wider range of music than used to be the case and their interests may include folk as well as a lot of other things. When I was younger most people's listening habits seemed far more polarised (apart from a few enthusiasts), so far as I can recall. So youngsters today seem to be far more open to folk music, without necessarily becoming folkies but also judging it on its merits without "finger in the ear" prejudices.

Secondly, there are a lot of young people playing the music, and not just those on the Newcastle course. I sometimes visit a session in Manchester which has a lot of students from the university.

Thirdly, a lot of the young musicians are doing some very exciting things with the music, and a lot of it is based on traditional material. Not all of it is to my taste, but that's not the point. They're using folk to make some very exciting music.

It will always be a niche genre, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing if it allows us to keep more control over the music we play and listen to.

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:43 PM

More Unis are holding Degree courses in various forms of 'Folk' , so there IS a lot of 'young' interest ! It should last me out , any way !

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:40 PM

Guitar? Flamenco maybe, but not necessary folk.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 12:33 PM

I just saw a video which said that Martin makes 80,000 guitars a year. Someone's buying them and someone's playing them. I conclude that one way or another, folk music will always be with us.

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: Banjiman
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:22 AM

Fisherman's Friend I would have thought........or is that the past coming round again?

Subject: RE: What is the future of folk music?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:17 AM

My youngest (24 years old now!) twins are really heavily into folk music. They both loved Goth and Emo until a few years ago when they just seem to switch overnight. Their collection has far exceeded mine and the scope covers some traditional stuff that I found too heavy myself! Maybe it is the trad. ballads that attracted their attention when in the doom and gloom stage:-)

I am pretty sure they would have heard of it even if I was not around but them coming along to festvals and clubs certainly opened a lot of doors for them. Reciprocaly I have been introduced to artists I may not have heard if not for them and that, in turn, has affected my tastes!

I have every faith that folk music (whatever it is - don't start that again!) will survive. Maybe not as we know it at times but it will go on as long as people want to sing:-)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: What is the future of folk music?
From: theleveller
Date: 19 Mar 10 - 11:07 AM

It is with some trepidation that I start this thread but I hope that it will be constructive and friendly. OK, here goes.....

I have a 10-year old daughter who has been brought up with folk music and loves it. She particularly likes Bellowhead, Eliza Carthy, Mawkin, The Levellers, Lucy Ward; she is learning the cello, the fiddle, the keyboard and wants to play guitar; she sees us perform and wants to do the same. But what does the future of folk music hold for her, as a listener and, perhaps, as a performer?

Now that the 'music-makers' who have been 'the movers and shakers, of the world forever, it seems' are getting older and passing on, will the battlelines between 'traditional' and 'contemporary' that we see on this board and elsewhere start to merge? Will 'folk' music itself, or whatever you choose to call it, become more a part of the mainstream music scene or still maintain its own identity as a genre? Will the youngsters listen to what we have to say or just go right ahead and plough their own furrows?

Do you have kids? Are they interested in folk music? If so, what musical future do you wish for them?