With 35 bands playing 60 gigs in 30 venues over four days, you could be forgiven for thinking the Kilkenny Rhythm'n'Roots festival was all about quantity.
You would be wrong, however. With acts like Tim O'Brien and the Crossing, Tom Russell, Lift to Experience, Scott Miller and Mary Gauthier all headed for Kilkenny for the May bank holiday weekend, another quality festival is guaranteed.
They are not, admits one of the organisers, Mr Tom Stapleton, the type of act you are likely to hear on daytime radio. But afficionados from all over the country and Britain will be in the Marble City for a major musical experience.
While many of the artists who play the Kilkenny event are not necessarily seeking fame, some find it anyway. Last year the bill included an up-and-coming country singer named Ryan Adams. "Now," says Mr Stapleton, "he's the biggest thing in the world."
The Carlsberg-sponsored event, now in its fifth year, is organised by the city's vintners, who host most of the gigs, two-thirds of which are free.
Admission prices to the bigger concerts at venues such as the Watergate Theatre are kept to a minimum. The festival takes in the various elements of music that come under the roots banner, including Americana, country, blues, folk, rockabilly, Cajun/zydeco and western swing.
Among the major attractions this year are Tim O'Brien and The Crossing, a group featuring superstars of the Irish traditional music scene including fiddler Kevin Burke, guitarist Steve Cooney, accordionist Mairtín O'Connor and west Waterford-born singer Karan Casey.
Lift to Experience, says Mr Stapleton, are "a stunning band" from Texas "with a great big grungy sound". The many acts from the US include the Cash Brothers, and CJ Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band. The Mary Stokes Band and Niall Toner head a large Irish contingent.
The event takes place from May 3rd to 6th and tickets and information are available from the festival office at 29 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, telephone 056-90057.