The future of folk music in a post-Covid

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 23 May 20 - 04:44 AM

The venues may be different, and possibly some organisers and singers will go and new ones start, but we'll be back up to strength by the end of the year, or the beginning of next year. I don't doubt it.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 May 20 - 04:25 AM

In Ireland there is extensive musical coverage of tradtional music and singing[ is that commercialisation or just exposure?]
my wireless is set on radio na gealachta, and every morning i can listen and most evenings between7pm and 9pm tradtional mirish music presented in a non commercial way, that wiil not change because of the virus. so folk music in ireland get state support it is funded [does that make it commercial] not in radio naeagaelchta case,but PERHAPS to a small extent in CCE CASE, A state fundedorganisation. to avoid commercialisation perhaps the uk should follow irelands example and state fund tradtional music?

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 May 20 - 04:11 AM

In answer to Observer's last question - To emulate being at a folk club!

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 22 May 20 - 07:46 PM

"Folk" Music has never, ever, needed commercialism to sustain it.

If I am going to listen to, or watch folk music online. I will create a play-list of the artists whose work I like and play that. Why listen to poor recordings with lousy sound, performed by mediocre artists with the additional interruptions of any audience present clattering plates, coughing and talking.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: CupOfTea
Date: 22 May 20 - 06:09 PM

This is getting the cart waaaay BEFORE the horse. What needs considering is the future of folk music DURING covid!

This was a large part of discussion at a folk society board meeting where our president Charlie Mosbrook, who is not the "older" generation, (but still with decades of experience behind him) was blunt about folks whose income comes from their music are going to have to learn how to promote themselves online, or fall to the wayside. In trying to find ways of supporting locals and get some sort of concert series going, the depth of detail folks face is daunting, and figuring out/learning the technical "stuff" is going to be a steep learning curve and financial stressor for many.

This isn' t going to be "over" till a vaccine is availiable, on the scale of the polio vaccination program, so a year, year and a half? In the not even 3 months since lockdown here, the blossoming of online performances, singing sessions, distance collaborations is awesome! Finding creative solutions for passing on the music is the key to survival. I have seen & heard a wider range of performances in the last 2 months than I would in half a year, introduced to performers & traditions completely new, and strengthened existing connections.

This is building a foundation for "after" This is embracing community and enlarging it.
The folk who do this for love, and do not have to make an income from it, they're not going to stop. Zooming a lullaby to your grandchild may be a new tradition: one of many that will evolve during this transition from 2019's reality to the post-vaccine world we pray for.

Joanne in Cleveland, still trying to improve her Zoom sound...

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 22 May 20 - 05:55 PM

In 50 years time, today's young folkies will be old fogies discussing how much better music was back in the 2010s and 20s.

DC

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 22 May 20 - 03:14 PM

In ENGLAND the big problem will be loss of venues with many pub closures in particular. I suspect that the number of classic guest+floor spot clubs will fall sharply. The licensed trade was reorienting towards meal service before the crisis and I think that this will be accentuated in surviving pubs further reducing the available venues for sessions. We may see more straight concerts in venues such and churches and village halls.

Big "marquee in a field" festivals will recover while town based venues will focus more on concerts as the number of surviving small venues declines.

The problem will be the availability of a format accessible to newcomers, who don't initially consider performing themselves, in the way that the classic folk club should be.

These comments are based on the state of the ENGLISH licensed trade pre coronavirus and its interaction with the folk scene.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Jack Campin
Date: 22 May 20 - 03:08 PM

Lullabies will do fine. They're the most centrally important of all folksong genres, and the one you'll least hear in a folk club.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Raggytash
Date: 22 May 20 - 03:03 PM

I am reminded when people talk of "change" just how unsettling it can be for some people, it used to be so for me.

However.

Some years ago the company I worked for was taken over by a much bigger company, they closed some offices and amalgamated the staff into two office one of which I worked in. I was charged with making the adjustments to allow a greater number of people. In order to do this I moved one woman from one end of a large office to the other end so she would work with people with a similar field. She almost had a nervous breakdown. Her reaction was astonishing.

However.

I taught me a very good lesson and that is that change happens and you have to learn to live with it. In fact I also learn that change can be good as it makes you confront your own "staleness"

I have never worried about change since, bring it on.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 May 20 - 02:54 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsCyC1dZiN8


.. where it's familiar, warm, cosy, and safe for old folkies...

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 May 20 - 02:40 PM

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Steve Gardham - PM
Date: 22 May 20 - 01:45 PM

The very nature of our music, based at grass-roots level, will ensure that its future will have a better chance of survival and even thrive above and beyond any other genre, simply because it does not rely on commercialism to sustain it.
so the more commercial festivals like cambridge might suffer temporarily?

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 May 20 - 02:35 PM

The future can never become the present, Jeri. Tomorrow never comes :-)

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Jeri
Date: 22 May 20 - 02:30 PM

"Trolling"?!

It's a worthy subject. I think we're going to be on hold until we get a vaccine, although it will be safer when endemic infections reduce a lot.

I think a lot of music, folk or other, is going to be recorded, or on-line. Concerts, bars or clubs, festivals - any sort of public gatherings - are problematic.

And Dave, the future belongs to anyone for whom it becomes the present.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 22 May 20 - 01:45 PM

The very nature of our music, based at grass-roots level, will ensure that its future will have a better chance of survival and even thrive above and beyond any other genre, simply because it does not rely on commercialism to sustain it.

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 May 20 - 01:26 PM

As I said over on the Job Doran thread, the future belongs to the young. Post Covid or otherwise. Us old fogies are too set in our ways for any radical change. I accept change is not always for the best but it is change or die as far as live folk (or most other) music is concerned.

I'm not worried about it. The past has gone. The future is yet to happen. Enjoy what we have today - whatever it is :-)

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 May 20 - 01:21 PM

Worst case scenario, covid will wipe out elder folkies
in poorer regions of the world..

Which could be devastating if they have not left behind written or audio records,
of their knowledge of local oral folk culture accumulated over a long history...???

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 May 20 - 01:10 PM

ANY COUNTRY YOU LIKE , I THINK IT WILL DE FINE IN IRELAND

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 May 20 - 01:02 PM

Ake - no, my justifiable disdain of very vociferous reactionary folkies
has been consistent over all the years I've been visiting here..

Whereas your post here serves little constructive purpose...

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 22 May 20 - 12:44 PM

Which country are you asking about ?

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: GUEST,akenaton
Date: 22 May 20 - 12:42 PM

PFR, I think you're developing trolling symptoms since to started knocking about with that BS crew.....do ye no' wear a mask?

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 May 20 - 12:17 PM

Too many old acoustic folkies are not sufficiently equipped to consider the future..
They have enough problems relating to the present...

But maybe, just maybe, covid is the kick up the arse they need
to stop dwelling on an idealised & over-romanticised past...|???

Subject: RE: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: RTim
Date: 22 May 20 - 11:06 AM

Music will always have a future.....we just don't know what it will be yet....

Tim Radford...

Subject: The future of folk music in a post-Covid
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 May 20 - 11:00 AM

for Jeri