EVER since folk festivals began to become so popular, the mainstream music business has had its eye on them as a potential source of exploitation for rock acts of a certain vintage, with empty diaries to deal with.

More and more, we see Saturday night main-stage slots occupied by our heroes of yesteryear, to whom the term folk music could never really be applied. I for one have enjoyed a few evenings cautiously boogying away in the dark to some loud rock and roll, after a day of more sober and genteel acoustic picking, at events like Cropredy and Cambridge.

However, what is happening to folk festivals in North America might perhaps serve as a warning to us over here. The influx of rock acts and their high-powered managers, artist fees and demands are bringing financial ruin to some events, with smaller festivals that feel the need to compete, going out of business altogether.

This has resulted in performers and bands who have helped sustain a folk-scene and a folk sensibility for decades, suddenly finding themselves without a place to play. I’m all for breaking down barriers and giving an audience what they want, but looking at the line-ups at some of next summer’s bigger UK festivals, it’s already clear that a similar situation could be on the cards over here too. I hope not.

Meanwhile, highlights locally this week include a choice tonight between Scots singer Andrew Gordon at The Beamish Mary, in No Place, and ragtime guitarist Michael Woods at Darlington’s Copper Beech. Songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones is at Gateshead’s Sage tomorrow, and Sunday’s choice is between Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman at South Shields Customs House and The John Wrightson band at Guisborough Rugby Club. Finally there’s a chance to catch Archie Fisher on Tuesday at Cramlington’s Clef and Cask.