Bowerbird Triskel Christchurch, Cork

Is there a broadly acceptable definition of folk? In titling their event Bowerbird: Modern Folk & Beyond, the curators of this musical showcase flag it as an exploration of the folk tradition in 2012.

One thing is for sure: ever since Dylan went electric people have had strongly held convictions on what constitutes folk music.

Sam Amidon took to the stage playing his fiddle in a scratchy, atonal fashion, causing certain grey-haired gentlemen in the audience to begin sharing incredulous looks with each other. But there were fleeting moments of great potential in his set.