A pub near me has jut started open mic sessions so I thought, nothing to lose, I'll pop along and see what it's all about. Anyway at the first session I read a couple of poems and at the next sang a few folk songs.
It's not very easy - most of the audience just keep talking over you. I'm also not very happy yet using a microphone. At the folk club I go to it is all acoustic. I do use a microphone when I read poems at local poetry events but am not very comfortable with it yet. I'm going to a poetry workshop later in the month and I've asked the workshop leader for some experience using a microphone and she has agreed. So hopefully my microphone technique will improve.

I wondered if anyone had much experience doing this kind of thing and had any tips? I sing unaccompanied, mainly traditional British songs. Ideas of song repertoire would be appreciated.
I don't know how long this open mic will last. The pub isn't getting many performers yet. The MC for the sessions is a young aspiring pop singer, and he is very keen and is helpful.