In fashion it may be, but folk has always been a thriving, vibrant scene and nowhere is this more apparent than at the 15th annual Crawley Folk Festival.

Current hot tickets Rachel Unthank And The Winterset (2.45pm, Sunday, Theatre) - Winners of Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year 2005 - are just one of a hundred acts lined up to play this weekend, along with scores of dancers on five stages, music and dance workshops.

Newcastle-based Rachel says: "Folk music comes and goes in the public's perception and there seem to be a lot of young, up-and-coming bands feeding through into the mainstream but the core element hasn't changed.

"Life, loss and love - these are eternal themes in folk music which will always be relevant."

The Festival is a must for anyone interested in folk, acoustic, traditional and roots music from the UK, Ireland and North America.

You can look forward to oldtime sounds of the Louisiana swamps from Creole Spirit (Sunday, 2pm, Foyer); a capella harmonies from Craig, Morgan; and Robson (tonight, 7.45pm, Studio and tomorrow, 2.15pm, Theate); Chumbawamba Acoustic (tomorrow, 8.30pm, Studio) and sea shanties from Kimber's Men (tomorrow, 4.30pm, Foyer).

There's a strong blues line-up too, including Sam Kelly's Station House (tomorrow, 12.30pm, Marquee), John Crampton (tomorrow, 7.30pm, Theatre), Claude Bourbon (Sunday, 3.45pm, Foyer) and Smokestack (Sunday, 2.30pm, Studio) and a Late Night Acoustic Stage featuring open-mic sessions and guests tonight and tomorrow from 11pm to 1am. Plus music, crafts, clothing and food stalls, real ale tent, a dance stage and workshops all weekend.

"Folk festivals have their own special atmosphere," says Rachel. "There are people from all walks of life, not just youth culture but older people, kids and families.

"There is a great buzz and never any bother, it's about joining in a singaround or a ceilidh, taking part as well as listening. It's very inclusive.

Being part of it in the band is like a dream come true."

Starts 7pm June 30, tickets from £10. Camping is available. For more information see www.hawth.co.uk or call 01293 552941