Do people care what sort of music it is?

Well, yes, because if you really don't like the sort of music it is, you won't be entertained, no matter how well it's done. The main thing is for the organiser to make it clear (if it's a promoted event) roughly what's to be expected. If it's a complete mixture and you never know what will come next, that can be made that clear too.

I tend to get involved and play/sing when I can, but my husband is strictly a non-performer and when I take him along to events, I have to consider them from his point of view.

If there's a PA involved, we are more wary, because this (in my experience) tends, in informal venues, to bump up the auduence noise levels and put up a bit of a barrier between audience and performers. We prefer unamplified performances, at least for small venues like pubs.

The standard of music/singing does of course matter as well as the genre. If I suspect there will be some really dire floor spots or self-penned poems, I know my husband will hate it and sit there making rude mutterings, so I leave him at home.

And there's the question of payment. If we get in free (eg a pub session or pub band) I'm happy to take it as it comes - we can always leave when we've had enough. But if we're going to pay to get in, I'd prefer a bit of information about what sort of event and music we're going to find, and I'd hope for a reasonable overall
standard.

Marje