In the last twenty or so years Cornish traditional music has undergone a tremendous revival and is continuing to do so today. From a handful of performers and bands there are now many active groups bringing unique and diverse interpretations into public awareness. Thanks to enormous efforts by researchers such as Merv Davey and Mike O’Connor ancient collections of Cornish music are now emerging from dusty archives and forgotten corners to take on new life and bring pleasure to the young and not so young. Music from the collections of John Giddy, John Old and William Allen which date from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth centuries is now finding it’s way into repertoires across Cornwall today.

Some performers aim to explore this music as close to the original as possible while others are reinterpreting them in new ways whilst trying to remain faithful to the old folk musicians’ spirit of creativity. The increasing number of Troyl and Noz Looan dances are providing a firm platform from which this exciting music can develop and reach a wider audience within Cornwall and beyond. Groups such as Dalla, Caracana, Asteveryn, Bagas Degol, Kescana, Bagas Crowd and Pyba are just a few of the performers active in developing Cornish music.

In addition to the old music of Cornwall there are now a surprising number of newly written songs,tunes and harmonies firmly rooted in the tradition but taking it on to new growth. Frances Bennett, Hilary Coleman, Neil Davey, Rosie Firek, Mike Hartland and many others are continuing to reinterpret this unique heritage. Cornish musicians are rightly beginning to be a noticeable presence within the realm of Celtic music.