But that is just because the acoustic scene is catching its breath for what promises to be a tremendous year ahead.

Not least on the horizon is the wonderful Wath Festival, which has been bringing great acts to the county since it was established in 1972.

These have included Eliza Carthy, The Demon Barbers, Battlefield Band, Dougie MacLean and Karine Polwart.

And 2010 will be no exception. For the festival, which runs from April 28 to May 3 (get it in your diary as a New Year resolution) this year includes headliners The Bad Shepherds, fronted by comedian and actor Ade Edmondson. And for good measure, Ade is bringing along his daughter Ella.

Other top acts will include The Heidi Talbot Trio (with Boo Hewerdine and John McCusker), Chris Sherburn & Denny Bartley, the Lonnie Donegan Band featuring Peter Donegan, John Tams and Barry Coope and Steve Tilston and Dave Bowie - and more artists are to be confirmed soon.

Also on the bill are favourites of South Yorkshire audiences Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart.

This amazing duo (she is Steve Earle's sister, he used to be a Duke!) are among the most hard-working tourers on the market. But this could be the last chance to catch them in action as a duo. For, according to their website 'the musical duo Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart is coming to a close.

We thank all who were there to support our duo in the eight-plus years that we toured/recorded under this name. We have performed together over 17 years, been married over 15. Our marriage is very much intact and we will, undoubtedly, have some involvement in one another's projects. However, the duo as an act will basically cease to exist'.

They are going out in style, though, with a crippling touring regime both in the States and over here in Europe. It's called their Drive her till she drops tour, a reference to their 1999 Chevy Suburban which has been their tour vehicle since they bought it new. It then had 17 miles on the clock. Last look showed a reading of 411,201 miles, and the original engine.

Presumably it will be a different set of wheels which haul them to Wath this spring. But the music will be the same - bright, breezy and refreshingly original.

Festival events will take place in the Montgomery Hall, Sandygate Hotel, Wath Rugby Club, Montgomery Square and Wath Parish Church.

Here's what is already lined up at the main venue, the Montgomery Hall: Wed and Thu, April 28/29: Eric Sampson Memorial School's Concert. Fri (30th): Holly Taymar and the Holly Trinity, Kevin Dempsey and Joe Broughton, The Lonnie Donegan Band (feat Peter Donegan). Saturday, May 1: Afternoon: Elbow Jane, Sarah MacDougall and Tim Tweedale from Canada, Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley. Evening: Heidi Talbot Trio, John Tams and Barry Coope. Sun, May 2, Afternoon: The Carrivick Sisters, Steve Tilston and Dave Bowie, Ella Edmondson.