Well, he’s certainly moved on from his log cabin. It’s three years since Justin Vernon’s group, Bon Iver, released For Emma, Forever Ago, the quietly powerful indie-folk album recorded during a bitter winter in his father’s remote Vermont cabin – an album that became almost as famous for the story behind it as it did for its actual music. Now Bon Iver’s palette has been broadened to incorporate instruments such as synths and a glossier, more layered approach to sound; the result is an album that’s sonically rich but seldom really engaging.

One of Britain’s most esteemed and influential folk artists, Martin Carthy (b 1941) celebrates his 70th birthday on 21 May. The occasion is being marked by the release of a two-disc career overview, Martin Carthy Essential, and next weekend's celebratory concert at the Southbank Centre, London. Much as he obviously appreciates the gesture, there's an unmistakable sense that this self-effacing man would be just as happy spending the night crammed into a howff, eyeballing his audience from a distance of no more than 10 paces.

Last night’s BBC Folk Awards are as showbiz as the folk world gets – presenters Barbara Dickson and Mike Harding might not exactly be Hello! grade glamourpusses but they had a glittery backdrop anyway and there were a few star presenters of awards, including Roger Daltrey, Frank Skinner and Joanna Trollope who was suitably jolly hockey sticks about the whole endeavour. The big winners of the night were Chris Wood, Bellowhead and, for a lifetime achievement award, Donovan, which was presented by Mark Radcliffe.

Last night’s BBC Folk Awards are as showbiz as the folk world gets – presenters Barbara Dickson and Mike Harding might not exactly be Hello! grade glamourpusses but they had a glittery backdrop anyway and there were a few star presenters of awards, including Roger Daltrey, Frank Skinner and Joanna Trollope who was suitably jolly hockey sticks about the whole endeavour. The big winners of the night were Chris Wood, Bellowhead and, for a lifetime achievement award, Donovan, which was presented by Mark Radcliffe.

Bellowhead are 21st-century genre-busters: punk music-hall madness born out of British folk, seasoned with a zeitgeist-friendly dose of multicultural spice. Sounds gimmicky? Well, not at all, as Bellowhead’s greatest quality, apart from being an outstandingly enjoyable live act, comes from the way they ride their eclecticism with brio and intelligence, inventing as they go a new folk music for our times.

Geordies love music. From Brian Johnson’s cap to Jimmy Nail’s crocodile shoes, they have melody in their blood. And they love a good story. All of which makes it little wonder that North-Eastern sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank are able to mine such a deep seam of Northumbrian folk music. What’s more remarkable is how they sing material so traditional, in accents so broad, and still sound so contemporary. It makes them different; it’s possibly what makes them so loved.

Fairport Convention in the abstract seem romantic and timely. Their Sixties folk-rock is being rediscovered by many of our best emerging songwriters; the late Sandy Denny is still written about; and their most famous graduate, Richard Thompson next month curates Meltdown 2010. However, in the concrete, the Fairports are a somewhat more problematic proposition. Over 19 incarnations in 43 years, they have recorded almost 50 albums. To top it all they are loved by their fans with a level of detail normally reserved for sci-fi gatherings.

Listening to Woodpigeon’s nuanced indie-folk, I looked around at the 300 or so strong crowd who had also chosen to spend the evening away from Peter Snow and his Swingometer. Some had their eyes closed, others were gently nodding, but mainly they were just smiling. And right then I’m sure they were thinking, as was I, that listening to these luxuriant Canadian harmonies was possibly the best way you could spend election night.

If ever there was a classic case of artist and audience meeting on terribly comfortable ground, Karine Polwart's performance at last night’s fundraiser for the Green Party was it. Held in a beautiful converted church, there was more than a trace of the Vicar of Dibley lurking around the edge of the proceedings. Whatever your political affiliations, the Greens undeniably put on a good spread: it was organic beer, home bakes and Curious Colas all round, a repast matched only in its wholesomeness by a lot of thoroughly fine if sometimes overly polite musical manoeuvres.

Last night's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony was a surprisingly glitzy affair at the Brewery, near the Barbican in London. Winners included Bellowhead for Best Live Act and Lau for Best Group. Steve Knightley's recession sing-a-along "Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed" won Best Original Song, Cara Dillon won the best album for Hill of Thieves and Martin Simpson won the Best Traditional Song for his version of "Sir Patrick Spens". Sam Carter won the Horizon Award for up-and-coming artist, but one consensus of the evening was that 26 year-old Jackie Oates, who had three nominations in the Folk Awards – for best singer, album and traditional song - is on the verge of becoming a major folk star.

Last night's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ceremony was a surprisingly glitzy affair at the Brewery, near the Barbican in London. Winners included Bellowhead for Best Live Act and Lau for Best Group. Steve Knightley's recession sing-a-along "Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed" won Best Original Song, Cara Dillon won the best album for Hill of Thieves and Martin Simpson won the Best Traditional Song for his version of "Sir Patrick Spens". Sam Carter won the Horizon Award for up-and-coming artist, but one consensus of the evening was that 26 year-old Jackie Oates, who had three nominations in the Folk Awards – for best singer, album and traditional song - is on the verge of becoming a major folk star.

It’s interesting to ponder why, after 22 years in the business, the Indigo Girls aren’t more successful or better known outside the cognoscenti and their very loyal fanbase. Their intricate harmonies and beautifully constructed guitar-based folk-rock has attracted many fans (and sometime collaborators) in the music industry - from Natalie Merchant and Ani DiFranco to Lucinda Williams and REM - and one of their albums went platinum. They even won a Grammy, so what’s not to like?