JT (and the Countess), let's look at it another way.

Suppose we say "no more informal folk clubs in pubs". No more singarounds, no more tune sessions. On-stage performance (at a tenner a ticket) is all we get, because we want to put a professional face on folk music. So what happens next...?

You're working under the assumption that what puts people off folk clubs is bearded shanty singers and a tatty room. As often as not in my experience though, what puts them off musically is some late-teens geek (or geekess) getting up with a guitar and singing a song they wrote last Tuesday and still haven't fully learnt. As often or not it'll be something about how misunderstood they are. If it's not that, it's a Dylan cover.

Now in a round-the-room situation, that's fine. They'll get some polite applause, and if people know it's the first time they've performed in public (or their first attempt at songwriting) then they'll get more appreciation for that. You've not paid anything (or it's a nominal amount), so no worries, and everyone has to start somewhere. The next singer will probably be someone who's a lot better. Rinse and repeat for a year or two, and chances are that they'll be a damn sight better by the end of that time.

But suppose this happens on stage? I for one would be wondering why I'd wasted my money, because if there's a take on the door to ensure that people can make a living off performance, then all the performers will be getting a cut of it. I'm a passive audience member paying to be entertained, and if it's not good quality then I won't be back.

More likely, if it's a stage situation then there'll be an audition beforehand, and they'd get turned down flat. And turned down at the next audition, and the one after that. Pretty soon they'd give up trying. After all, it's only the select few who can play in public, isn't it, and if you're merely average (or worse than that, a beginner) then you've no place playing in front of other people. Right?

Graham.

PS. Oh, and people will put up with a lot of tattiness in a room if the company, music and beer are good. Especially the company and the beer.