The irony of Costa del Folk

Subject: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: theleveller
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 04:49 AM

Am I the only one who finds the whole concept of Costa del Folk bizarrely ironic? The idea of well-heeled Brits flying hundreds of miles to listen to 'Cold, Haily, Rainy Night' with the sun beating down on their backs whilst sipping cold foreign larger and nibbling tapas seems to go against the whole spirit and essence of the music. But, then again, I suppose it's no more artificial than Captain Birdseye lookalikes who have never even seen a sailing ship belting out raucous sea shanteys. I suppose 'O'er the Hills and Far Away' might be more appropriate. Whatever floats your boat.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST,Andyliqueur
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 04:54 AM

I do so wish there was a 'like' button on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 05:05 AM

Me too!

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST,David Nuttall Wakefield
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 05:32 AM

It may not be to everyone's liking......but what the hell. Live and let live. People go all over the world to listen to or participate in forms of culture which appear incongruous to the area or country . If people wish to combine their love of sand, sun , sea, sangria, song and folk music then so be it. Perhaps it would add authenticity if such events were staged up a cramped sooty chimney with 42 shot swans, 5 couples in unrequited love dramas , a smattering of symbolic herbs , poached deer and a quick run around the capstan. Just GO and enjoy the music and everything else on offer....including the like - minded people there . There is little wonder that folk music often self destructs and gets a bad reputation through it's elitism, obscurity and pretentiousness . Enjoy the music with a different backdrop and climate.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: JHW
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 05:39 AM

One of our local FCs just moved to a tapass bar but the sun doesn't beat on your back in Darlington.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: DaveRo
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 05:54 AM

Irony is an increasing elastic term. Perhaps incongruous would fit better. The name is surely deliberately inconguous:
http://www.costadelfolk.co.uk/
Looks like fun to me.

Artificiality, however, is different. Does it pretend to be something it's not?

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 06:01 AM

Well,, I would agree with David N , just go and enjoy the music. Folk snobbery is such a bore. music is music and where and how people enjoy it is up to them.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: selby
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 06:59 AM

It is actually a pleasant experiance supping sangria in the sun whilst listening to folk music. We personally use it as the start of the season party with Butlins the end of season party.

Butlins is another "interesting concept"

Keith

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: theleveller
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 07:20 AM

I'm not saying anyone shouldn't do it but, like I said, to me it seems ironic (well, and incongruous I suppose). For that kind of money I can rent an apartment in Florence for a week and soak up the culture, atmosphere and, especially, the food of one of my favourite cities. Back home, I frequently do the same in York but with more of a sense of belonging.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 01:34 PM

I guess the Scottish trad fiddle workshops Bruce McGregor runs in Spain are the same thing (and one Edinburgh trad music community band relocated itself to Spain for a collective holiday once or twice) - I didn't realize it was a more general phenomenon.

Perhaps it makes more sense the further north you go. The Shetland Folk Festival might do better in the Canaries.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 03:38 AM

My wife and I took a four-island cruise tour of Hawaii with Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen. They gave us two concerts, and we had a singaround every night. Worth every penny.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 04:54 AM

I had a similar opinion to the OP but, apart from the weather, it is no different to travelling the length of the country to go to Sidmouth or Whitby

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 05:00 AM

I read that some time in the 1980s, one of the major British trade unions costed out holding its annual conference in their usual seaside resort venue and compared it with Malta. Malta would have been cheaper.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 06:28 AM

You cannot compare the Spanish ambience with the potential mire (myre??) of an English folk festival!!!

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Vic Smith
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 08:32 AM

From: GUEST,Andyliqueur - PM
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 04:54 AM

I do so wish there was a 'like' button on Mudcat. 


From: Backwoodsman - PM
Date: 23 Sep 17 - 05:05 AM

Me too! 

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 09:04 AM

I believe the right handed "like" button may be offensive to left handed people, and should be withdrawn immediately. Not that I'm left handed, you understand, but I have friends who are, and they have feelings too.

Tongue in cheek icon, anyone???

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Vic Smith
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 09:32 AM

I believe the right handed "like" button may be offensive to left handed people, and should be withdrawn immediately. 👎

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST,whitby pal
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 09:38 AM

Folk week lead to the solving of the great polar bear clue located in the station. Solved as a result of going on walking holiday!

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 10:18 AM

The Burnham on Sea Folkfest was axed last year...

How can folk possibly prefer a festival in the Mediterranean
to one of our own premier seaside resorts...
Boasting spectacular views of the Bridgwater Bay mud banks and Hinkley Point...?????

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: GUEST,Me
Date: 24 Sep 17 - 02:21 PM

I'm all for it. In fact, I'm there next month and not for the first time. Ok, my agent has booked me via Ryanair so who knows if I'll get there or not.

The cost of going for the punters is no more than many U.K. Festivals combining travel, accommodation, meals etc, and as Stephen Fry once said about Lidl, it keeps the scum out of Waitrose.

If the gig location acts as a filter for the Mudcat crowd, (I always get a good laugh when I mention Mudcat at gigs) then bring it on.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Mr Red
Date: 25 Sep 17 - 06:49 AM

Costa del Folk is a commercial venture. Inconguous is certainly a good description. And a concept I cannot warm to.

You may ask, would I drive halfway across France to a Folk Festival?

Well yes actually, but then I was learning and dancing Avergne bourees, Berry bourees, Italian bourees, Andros, Hanter Dros, Laridae and variations on: Mazurkas, Schotishes and Polskas.
True, I danced English Ceilidh, and Cajun (but not the line dancing French cajunauts love) but a week full of eclectic, authentic dancing that is impossible to find in the UK. Was my trip more worthy? Do I care? I was dancing, and how many more years can I do that? Fate will inform me - till then ..........

Fill yer boots and enjoy, enjoy what you enjoy. And drive there and see things on the way, like we did.

Le Grand Bal de l'Europe, Gennetines actually it is on the opposite side of the main north/south road than the village - see ya there next year. And nearby Moulins is a lovely old city - a Bourbonais enclave.

Subject: RE: The irony of Costa del Folk
From: Howard Jones
Date: 25 Sep 17 - 10:27 AM

Any folk festival is an entirely artificial invention, but so what? They are an opportunity to enjoy good music in like-minded company.

I don't see why this is any different from travelling hundreds of miles to listen to folk music in an English seaside resort, apart from the probability of better weather. When accommodation, meals and travel costs are taken into consideration it's probably no more expensive than one of the seaside folk weeks at home. From where I live it's probably quicker to get to Ibiza than to Sidmouth, and certainly to Broadstairs.