"a nervous newbie kind of person ought to be cut some slack there."

First: A nervous newbie should perhaps cut their teeth at a few pub sessions where there will be constant chatter from the regulars (and maybe even session goers) and that may help them overcome the illusion that it's "all about ME!"

Second: Folk Clubs will never attract younger audiences with such a "tut tut" atmosphere for the odd whispered comment*. Give me a bonfire and a few friends, with chatter and laughter and songs somewhere in the middle of it all, if folk clubs are indeed such puritanical places.




*Note: "odd whispered comment" - not constant loud bellowing...