I think a session at a festival depends to a very large extent on who actually turns up - you cant make a session out of thin air.
I could only make saturday at Beverley Beck Shanty festival, so cant speak for Sunday. Being a musician and definately not a singer I was tempted by the words session in the programme. Having wondered around Beverley Beck (never having been there before) and being very impressed with everything the stalls the boats the morris sides (but not the weather!! ha ha) I eventually enquired of the chap stood at a little stall outside the first pub (Im sorry I dont know Beveley pubs names!!)where the pub holding the session was. after walking a fair distance , round the corner and up a back road, I made the pub! on arival, I found no sign nor sound of any musicans, and just as I was about to ask of the publican if I had got the right place he actually looked at me and asked me where the musicians were!!! after waiting for a while, a morris side turned up, also looking enquiringly. we were directed to an upstairs room which was complety empty, and so after waiting another while, I left, very disappointed at not having found anyone to play with. Soooooo I returned to the Beckside, did a pub crawl and listened to the singing which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I was very happy with the festival, as I think I posted at the time of the festival. And the moral of the story is as my opening line, it all depends on who turns up
My own local session is a turnaround which I started just over 12 months ago, and is going from strength to strength. Where once we had nothing in town we now have a lively monthly music evening which attracts musicians and singers alike, beginners to experienced and all shades in between and we encourage beginners to have a go. I was I had a five pound note for every person who has plucked up the courage to have a a first or second or even third play in public and then collapse in a heap, able to breathe again, heart beating fast!!! we also encourage all sortss - English Irish Old Time American Blues - whatever , and all is equally cheered. Cant get better than that!!
happy playing
Lin