A blog by OffBeat about folk culture.
Interview with Simon Costin, founder of The Museum of British Folklore.
I spoke to Simon about what “folk” really means today, from the new wave of artists and festivals which are redefining it, to the challenge of celebrating our shared heritage culture without slipping into nostalgia...
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Mike Hankin
October 2025
The Third Folk Revival
When we started OffBeat in 2022, we didn't see it as having a particular purpose but rather just an opportunity to show our friends some old films. But as it grew, it found its place in what some people are calling the third folk revival. And, as that revival has grown, I have been asking myself some difficult questions about what it is, what our role is and whether it’s doing more harm than good...
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Mike Hankin
August 2025