Closure of Folk Festivals

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 01:53 PM

I've good mates, who have a lifetime actively organising grassroots community events..
But their positive enthusiasm outreaches their grasp of, and patience with, bureaucratic accounting/tax/insurance/etc regulations..

They started off back in the 70s when you could just slap an event together spontaneously, with scant regard or respect for 'officialdom'...

Sometimes I feel anxious what would happen to them if a spiteful local tory busybody
decided to investigate their well meant pro-community activities...

The local elderly tories used to constantly try to shut down our teenage music events
until some of the greedy buggers relised they could make money themselves from gig promotions of 'approved' music..

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 01:52 PM

Do Pter and Howard Jones have anty experience of running Festivals?
I do, and that is not how it should be done or in my experience is done.
If Howards business idea was common practice more festivals would have gone to the wall, and the customers faith in purchasing tickets in advance would be very little.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 01:44 PM

"
Howard Jones:What Dick appears to be saying is that a festival shouldn't begin to plan the next year's event before it's paid off the debts from the previous year. That is an ideal position which I suspect is not realistic in practice, and under those conditions I doubt many festivals could go ahead."
Simply, bad business practice, and well wide of the mark,

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 01:13 PM

David Carter

The only circumstance in which the directors of a not for profit company limited by guarantee would be held liable personally for debts would be if there were some fraudulent activity.

Are you alleging such?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 11:16 AM

Thank you for that excellent post above, Howard. However, would it not therefore have been more honest of the organisers, certainly in this particular case - and any other festivals which may be "operating on a financial knife-edge" - to state from the outset that there may be an element of financial risk in purchasing tickets in advance ?
Apart from sympathising with those who bought tickets in good faith and have lost their money, my concern is that this one instance could have a "ripple" effect, and spread to other festivals, where customers may be reluctant to part with their hard-earned up-front, thus perhaps putting other events in jeopardy.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 10:15 AM

An excellent summary from Howard. I recall being told that a major festival takes something like 18 months to set up with the booking of top-line acts and large venues.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 09:55 AM

Howard Jones:What Dick appears to be saying is that a festival shouldn't begin to plan the next year's event before it's paid off the debts from the previous year. That is an ideal position which I suspect is not realistic in practice, and under those conditions I doubt many festivals could go ahead. Organising any event, but especially a large and complex one like a festival, means entering into obligations and incurring costs up-front in the expectation that in time there will be sufficient income to cover them. That is not in itself immoral or illegal, and is the financial model for a great many businesses which can't rely on a steady income stream but are dependent on a single event to bring in income.

The debts are really a matter between the festival and its creditors. In Beverley's case the racecourse appears to have been willing to extend credit, not only for the previous year but to allow this year's event to go ahead. The problem has not been caused by debts being called in but by the loss of anticipated income because funding has been withdrawn. This is something to which many festivals are vulnerable.

In my opinion the organisers would only have been acting immorally if they had sold tickets when they should have known there was a good chance that the festival would not go ahead. If the funding was always uncertain but the decided to go ahead in the unreasonable hope that it would materialise, then they may well have been acting irresponsible, and possibly were trading unlawfully and could face sanctions. If not, then they took the only course open to them once the funding was withdrawn, by going into liquidation.

Exactly this! A sensible précis of the situation, rather than the emotive bluster we've been getting from some quarters. So I thought it would bear re-quoting.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Allan Conn
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 09:13 AM

In Kelso we had out first festival last year and it went well and we just made a bit of a profit - so we are repeating it this year. It is a risk putting things on but we did it the other way round though in that we built the funds up over several years so we had plenty to cover everything should we not manage to sell tickets etc. The club members play in the Cobbles Inn every week after out floor spot session which is in a nearby hotel. The tin goes at our early session plus later round the pub for donations towards bringing music to the town and it is amazing what is collected through the year.

http://www.kelsofolkfest.org/

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Howard Jones
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 09:03 AM

What Dick appears to be saying is that a festival shouldn't begin to plan the next year's event before it's paid off the debts from the previous year. That is an ideal position which I suspect is not realistic in practice, and under those conditions I doubt many festivals could go ahead. Organising any event, but especially a large and complex one like a festival, means entering into obligations and incurring costs up-front in the expectation that in time there will be sufficient income to cover them. That is not in itself immoral or illegal, and is the financial model for a great many businesses which can't rely on a steady income stream but are dependent on a single event to bring in income.

The debts are really a matter between the festival and its creditors. In Beverley's case the racecourse appears to have been willing to extend credit, not only for the previous year but to allow this year's event to go ahead. The problem has not been caused by debts being called in but by the loss of anticipated income because funding has been withdrawn. This is something to which many festivals are vulnerable.

In my opinion the organisers would only have been acting immorally if they had sold tickets when they should have known there was a good chance that the festival would not go ahead. If the funding was always uncertain but the decided to go ahead in the unreasonable hope that it would materialise, then they may well have been acting irresponsible, and possibly were trading unlawfully and could face sanctions. If not, then they took the only course open to them once the funding was withdrawn, by going into liquidation.

Everybody loses out when a festival is cancelled. Actually I feel lesat sorry for the musicians (despite being one myself who has had gigs cancelled). They are not out of pocket, and although they have lost future income they had expected to receive they have a chance to get other gigs. Ticket-holders who paid by credit card may be protected under under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act

However most festivals are operating on a financial knife-edge and it is not surprising that from time to time they go under.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 03:21 AM

Don't know about Carillion, if there is a case brought by the department of business, then the issue will be whether the directors did or should have known that the company was insolvent, and still took money from customers such as hospital trusts. If the answer to that is yes, then they will face severe penalties. In the case of the folk festival the disqualification is irrelevant, but the issue is that directors can be made personally liable for the debts.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 03:09 AM

[Pickering]people have lost 130 if they bought a ticket

Yer pays yer money and takes yer Pickering.

It is a fact of life, even big companies try it on. One look at BTs service. They charge for a barely acceptable service knowing and admitting it is not fully viable at other junctures. And they can't find water on the line**, after 14 days, having promised 3 days. I think they have found something and assume they have found all instances. Classic mug bet.

** there is an ongoing problem with the GFs line, I am an electronic engineer and have experienced this exact problem before. Do they listen? They don't have to believe someone they don't know, but it behooves then to pass on the information, and do they?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:27 PM

depends who can afford the best lawyers...??

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:24 PM

Not sure you do either David. Trading whilst insolvent is, ultimately, a matter for the Courts and the directors of a not for profit organisation will almost never be taken to court and, if they were, would, at worst, be disqualified from directorship for a year or so.

Do you believe the Directors of Carillion will face severe penalties?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:16 PM

Common mistake GUEST, when the gig is up its time to shut up shop. They should definitely have shut up shop after the 2017 festival if they couldn't pay the racecourse bill, and probably earlier. Just keeping going as if nothing is wrong has landed people in debt, prison or worse.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:14 PM

Actually Dick does Morris-ey, and I am not convinced that you do. The penalties for directors of a company trading while insolvent are severe, and it makes little difference whether they are unpaid volunteers or not.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 01:17 PM

No points to score, Dick. No point in your tirade either. A pretty pointless exercise all in all. What do you propose to do or want anyone on here to do about it?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 01:11 PM

Dick, it seems, has no understanding of limited company liability.

I doubt that big folk names will find it difficult to find other venues to play at.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 12:58 PM

I might be misunderstanding the accounts posted in another thread and could be wrong otherwise but I doubt they could do that. Current assets and current liabilities are around the same in 2017 but net worth plummeted towards -£50K starting in 2012 (building up for the move to the bigger venue, big loans???) and I'd guess they had to try to continue running as they were because of that?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 12:33 PM

whatever ? no , BEVERLEY FESTIVAL owed a debt to Beverley racecourse, it is a criminal offence and immoral to continue trading while insolvent, people bought tickets in good faith costing 130 sterling, they will not be refunded, and you say whatever, this is disgraceful and will lead to people having a lack of faith in buying tickets in advance for festivals, also guest artistsa could have found alternative work and now ill be out of pocket.
and you say whatever, and appear to think scoring points more important.
What should have happened was that the 2018 festival was cancelled tthe end of 2017,before any money for tickets was taken, and a singers based festival was organised instead

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 10:25 AM

Whatever.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 10:07 AM

for goodness sake, not for the first time[Pickering]people have lost 130 if they bought a ticket and you only care about scoring points.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 09:52 AM

Has The Sandman never heard of rhetorical questions?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 09:48 AM

But Dick, you went on to say that you have never used the words "make a quick buck". Whether it was a question or not is irrelevant as you had, obliviously, used those very words. Which is what was stated.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 09:47 AM

FFS Sandman you asked "the closure of Beverley is reminiscent of the closure of Pickering a few years ago, is this the result of business entrepreneurs trying to make a quick buck?"

And Howard replied

None of this, so far as I can see, is due to anyone trying to make a "quick buck" as you put it.

A "make a quick buck" is exactly as you put it in your question.

Just move on.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 09:39 AM

Howard it was a question not a statement, do you not know the difference.I have never stated
"The closure of Beverley is reminiscent of the closure of Pickering a few years ago, is this the result of business entrepreneurs trying to make a quick buck"
I ASKED A QUESTION please not the question mark, this is what i posted "the closure of Beverley is reminiscent of the closure of Pickering a few years ago, is this the result of business entrepreneurs trying to make a quick buck?"

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 08:58 AM

At Swinton we always ran within the budget of funding. Ticket sales were a minor part of the budget and an added bonus. When we got fed up of jumping through the funding hoops we dropped it to a low key festival in the club and when 2 of the three organisers left for pastures new someone else took up the baton. I don't think it runs any more but that had nothing to do with commercialism.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Johnny J
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 08:32 AM

Further re the "local folk club"..

In Scotland, the majority of festivals are run by volunteers as TB suggests but not necessarily by the local club or even local enthusiasts.

That's not to say they aren't "au fait" with the local area and music, of course. They may be based in nearby towns or connected with a particular genre of music, have specialist skills and so on.

For instance, much of the organisation of Girvan Folk Festival over the years was by members of Kilmarnock Folk Club although local folkies have also been involved too.

The Trad on The Tyne festival was actually organised by The Haddington Pipe Band but it was by no means a piping Festival.

I believe Newcastleton now has a folk club and their organisers "may"(?) have some input but it was originally started by the local fiddle and accordion club. However, various people and factions have been involved in its organisation over the years from the locality itself and further afield.
I could think of other examples.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Johnny J
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 08:19 AM

I could tell stories about several now defunct festivals but much of the information would be based on gossip. Also, it would be unfair to revisit their woes here.

However, I'd suggest issues arise when festivals grow too big and too quickly and the correct machinery and "checks" aren't properly in place. There shouldn't really be an excuse for getting into a position where creditors are disadvantaged whether they be ticket customers, musicians, venues, or whoever. The list could go on.

Before moving to the next stage, organisers should be sure that they have sufficient funding or will have to cover all their outlays. If in doubt, do nowt.

The majority of festivals which cease to function do so with the organisers still able to holfd their heads high. Unfortunately, there have been one or two exceptions over the years.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 07:50 AM

Yes, festivals come and festivals go.
Here in Scotland, the majority are run by unpaid volunteers.
Some enjoy the benefit of local business sponsorship or Council grants, but none of these sources can be relied upon to go on for ever.
Some have died because of "fallings out" of one sort or another (e.g.disagreements, or just people wanting to hand on the job of organising, but no-one to take it on.)
Some have down-sized considerably to continue as lower budget gatherings.
And some have been re-incarnated, e.g Killin Festival: Ceilidh Culture, followed by Tradfest in Edinburgh, after a longish gap after the former Edinburgh Folk Festival had its demise.
A good number are organised by folk clubs, others are not.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Howard Jones
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 07:24 AM

Dick, with respect your very first post which started this thread said:

Subject: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman - PM
Date: 25 Apr 18 - 05:01 AM

Beverley has closed and Alcester has closed.
The closure of Beverley is reminiscent of the closure of Pickering a few years ago, is this the result of business entrepreneurs trying to make a quick buck?

Be that as it may, I think the problem is that some festivals get caught up in a vicious circle where they feel that they have to become bigger and better to compete with other festivals so the costs rise, so they have to spend even more to bring in more paying visitors. And, without implying criticism of any individuals whether at Beverley or elsewhere, they are often being run in their spare time by people who perhaps don't have much other experience of running a business. The other problem is that they are often far too dependent on external funding as ticket sales aren't sufficient, which makes them vulnerable.

On the other hand, there is no shortage of folk festivals of all sizes and many seem to be running successfully. It is disappointing for all concerned when one fails, especially for those who will lose money, but overall the festival scene looks fairly healthy.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 06:10 AM

RIP Burnham on sea Folk Fest...

That was one festival I made special effort to attend over the years it ran
[ok - a bonus having family and a free place to kip near the town..]

Very well run free festival, across several pubs & clubs in town, in the street, and the park.
Nothing at all pretentious or gratingly alternative hippy upper middle class
[like some other SW folk fests...]

A damn good fun weekend of very varied folk[ish] music and activities...

Closed down a couple of years ago while it was still seemingly on top..
The official reason given was if I recall,
less funding available to maintain the quality,
but most significantly, the volunteer organizers were getting older and exhausted running it...

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 04:30 AM

Back on the actual topic:

Yes, festivals are closing, but new ones are also opening. I spent some time late last year approaching festivals just in the south-west of the UK (basically Devon, Dorset, Somerset and parts of Cornwall)on behalf of a friend who was looking to perform at some of them. I was amazed at how many there are in just that small corner of the UK. Many of them are very local, and "not for profit". Several (like Bridport, now in its second year, and only a stone's throw from Sidmouth)are run in support of a named local charity (Air Ambulance in the case of Bridport).

One reason for some failing may in fact be the sheer number running now. On any one summer weekend that I looked at over those 4 counties, there were likely to be between 3-6 festivals labelling themselves as folk festivals, or incorporating significant "folky" elements. Many appear to be run on a shoestring, and teeter on the edge of viability. Those relying on a main sponsor or significant grant funding are definitely exposed financially, given how quickly and ruthlessly funding bodies can change their priorities.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 04:22 AM

It was a question not a statement, do you not understand the difference a question is an attempt to discuss, a statement is presenting it as a fact.
I asked a question.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 04:16 AM

Sandman: Howard, I have not said anything about making a quick buck in this thread.

Er, I think you did, right at the top of the thread:


Sandman: Beverley has closed and Alcester has closed.
The closure of Beverley is reminiscent of the closure of Pickering a few years ago, is this the result of business entrepreneurs trying to make a quick buck?

So:

Sandman: Howrd I cannot find any posts where I used those words, you owe me an apology.

Nope, I don't think he does.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:43 AM

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. Even the arguments are not as good as in the old days :-)

There is no demise of folk music. There may be an evolution or shift in perception but folk music has, is and always will be with us. It is only the idea of what folk music was or should be that is affected and that is a purely personal view.

This thread is about the closure of folk festivals though so a sortee into the realms of what is folk is probably the wrong direction for it.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:25 AM

It is the job of old fogies to complain how it is not like it was.

In fact the complaints about it not being as good as it was........... are












not as good as they used to be when I was part of that movement when it really was the good old days (despite what the old fogies were saying about us then)

Tradition eh? What is it like?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Akenaton.
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:15 AM

Last post by me

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 18 - 03:14 AM

I think you have made your personal preferences clear Joe, but that does not address the on going demise of folk music.
I feel ordinary people(not the members of an elite little club)are thoroughly bored by what is presently produced and served up as folk music.
The pop process is in fact producing a lot of much better material.
and better performers.....Bands like Ardcade Fire and performers /writers like Adele.....are more "Folk" than folk.

Nice to see you Dave, but you may find it more difficult to indulge your interests in this section.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 06:27 PM

Howrd I cannot find any posts where I used those words, you owe me an apology.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 06:24 PM

Howard, I have not said anything about making a quick buck in this thread.
ticket holders are morally entitled to a refund if you think otherwise you are without morals

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 04:17 PM

Interestingly I thought it was one of tgebest Radio 2 Folk Programmes for a while. Young Uns, Calan, The Turbans to mention just three excellent bands

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 04:16 PM

:-D

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 03:44 PM

DtG - if you look at Heavy Metal [or Djent as some kids call it's modern version] websites..

You'll see 14 year old metal headz moaning it's not as good now as it was in their youth 2 weeks ago...!!!

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 03:36 PM

Oh, ffs. It is coming to something when even old fogeys on Mudcat are complaining that folk isn't like it was in the good old days. There are times I think I have opened a Monty Python sketch!

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: GUEST,akenaton
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 02:30 PM

The reason "folk" is on the wane, is that it has reached the depths of very bad and very boring pop music.
There is little inspiration and no presentation, I listened to the folk programme on BBC radio last night and it was frighteningly bad.
Fusion of musical styles, the all pervasive introspection in the new writing, warbling tuneless voices singing about nothing in particular.
No Balls, no inspiration, no participation!.....Folk music is supposed to bring people together, to inspire, to make them FEEL something.......I fear the music is beyond help in this country.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Howard Jones
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 02:13 PM

I don't know the exact circumstances around Beverley, but if they had reasonable expectations of receiving sponsorship which would have allowed them to meet their debts then they were not acting irresponsibly in planning another festival. Presumably the racecourse, having apparently not been paid for last year, would not have accepted their booking for this year unless they thought the money would be there.

Yes of course it's unfortunate that people who have paid for tickets will not be refunded, but once a company goes into liquidation it's out of the directors' hands, and any assets have to be distributed between all the creditors in accordance with insolvency law.

Is it morally right that volunteer organisers who devote their time to putting on a festival for nothing more than the love of it should face financial ruin if things go wrong? The festival owes tens of thousands, and why should ticket holders be any more entitled to a refund than other creditors? Yes, I would be disappointed if I had paid for a ticket and lost that money, but I would be more disappointed if the organisers were to lose their homes as as result.

None of this, so far as I can see, is due to anyone trying to make a "quick buck" as you put it, and I'd again ask if anyone is managing to make a quick buck from running folk festivals? I very much doubt it, most seem to be run by hard-working volunteers for little or no reward.

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 09:25 AM

I think a point worth making is, there seems to be a pattern of minor localised commercialised 'community' festivals springing up
that fail to reappear in following years...

The one's I've noticed in my area book hopeless hasbeen pop acts, and covers bands,
then look stupid promoting them in the local papers
as exciting famous chart topping pop/rock/folk acts..
These festivals are a joke...

Prebook ticket prices are just silly amounts... especially the 'VIP' packages...

Another one has had to call it off this year after problems with venues..
Don't know how they are dealing with refunds because frankly I don't care, and wish they'd stop and go away for ever...

Genuinely good local community music events in parks here used to be excellent,
giving opportunities for local bands and solo singers to perform on real stages with good PAs.
But Council funding was cut as tory austerity bit in, [and the park toilets closed down...]
and now there's nothing but these poxy wannabe promoter's festivals of hoplessness..

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 08:43 AM

that is not the point Howard, the point is that two festivals have closed, Pickering and Beverley, owing money to customers and cancelling guest artists, it appears Beverley owed a debt from the previous year, should they have cancelled the festival after 2017,instead of taking customers money for season tickets? if they were in debt,
Howard how would you feel if you had paid 130 and lost your money?Howard it may be in the caso of Pickering that the organiser thought he could make money[ or as you put it make a quick buck, who knows . The fact is cuistomers who bought season or festival tickets were not refunded, is that morally right,Howard?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Howard Jones
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 08:18 AM

Is anyone, anywhere actually making a quick buck from running a folk festival?

Subject: RE: Closure of Folk Festivals
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 05:48 AM

Really theres two sorts of folk festivals - the ones that are about booking big name guests, and ones that are a sort of community effort.

The second type has to reflect what the locals want, and generally it depends on strong minded local individuals who pragmatically do what they can.

The first type has got kudos for those artists deemed important enough to rate one of these prestige bookings. But in a way its a symbiotic thing. Really it depends on how active those artists and their agents/record companies are. I think it behoves them to at least mention the gig on their gig listing, maybe for the less popular artists - e-mailing a press kit to local press and folk programmes, if there are any left. Costs nothing except the effort these days. No postage costs etc as there used to be. If you have a following - they shoulsd at least have the option not to come.