Market Rasen Folk Club (UK) is an "Open Mic" without a microphone and PA system, however the artists are varied. See website http://www.marketrasenfolkclub.co.uk
Tonight (13th August) the mix is as follows Lucy Wright & Paul Young - Female singer & Male guitarist Gwenda & Terry Cater - Female singer/guitarist & Male guitarist Lesley Curtis - Female singer/guitarist Chris Wright - Male singer/guitarist (Blues) Steve newton - Male singer/guitarist (Blues) Ian Enright - Male singer/guitarist
The last meeting just to pick out a couple of examples, there was DACAPO 8 piece Female/Male folk group Rosie & Lucy Coggle Female Fiddle & Female Cello + Bodhran Jane Kitchen & Ernie Geddes Female singer & guitarist and Male guitarist
August the 27th Bob Fox - Male singer/guitarist DACAPO - 8 piece Female/Male folk group Stitherum - Female singer & Male guitarist John Blanks - Male singer/guitarist
September the 10th just a couple of examples Mike and Jackie - Male singer/guitarist & Female Singer Liam Robinson & Thomas Fairburn - Male Accordianist & Male Fiddle player
So I think your observation of "solo men with guitars" is not quite accurate as far as this club goes. It is mixed and varied music with young artists playing as well e.g. Lucy wright & Paul Young, Rosie and Lucie Coggle and Liam Robinson & Thomas Fairburn just to mention a few.
"There may be an MC or someone deciding who performs and for how long"
That is correct as far as this club goes. Artists are pre-booked, so somebody arriving on the night without a booking is unlikely to play - however as was the case last time, an artist arrived out of the blue and I managed to fit him in.
Maybe MRFC is the exception - I don't know - maybe some of the other clubs may like to say how they run their club and which group it falls into.
Incidentally we get good audiences (including the artists playing) - last time was over 60 people.