The Manifesto of the Angst Free Folk Music Movement

Guitars will be tuned before being brought on stage.

If only one song in your set requires a drop tuning please drop the song from your set (or bring a second guitar).

Alternative tunings will only be allowed if you are Joni Mitchell.

12 string guitars will only be used in an emergency. As firewood.

Autoharps, dulcimers and zithers while interesting instruments shall be used tastefully and in small amounts. Furthermore a bodhran solo is never necessary.

Performers will speak directly to their audience in a clear and distinct voice.

You are not the next Bob Dylan. You are just next.

Harmonica playing involves more than just blowing in and out.

No song shall be longer than The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Sad and depressing songs are welcome. Sad and depressing singers are not.

If you have a ‘hit song” – play it. We don’t care you have sung it a thousand times and hate performing it. It’s the only reason we are here.

A ten minute set is to be that – ten minutes. There are other troubled souls who want to get on tonight.

We are not here to hear you rehearse. Bring us a little show.

Remember it’s all been done before. You are not special.