Most people in folk clubs are now in their sixties (or more!). It becomes harder to memorize new songs as you get older. So to avoid being accused of just doing the same old stuff every week, most of us get new material together as well as we can, but perform it with the words in front of us, just in case.

I for one do not have a problem with that, but remain impressed by people who perform from memory (and get it right!).