I'm right with you about not making folk music exclusive, but most pubs these days are large, and they go round corners too. You simply can't keep telling scores of people who just went out for a drink, (and couldn't even hear the singer properly if they did want to listen because they're too far away), to keep shutting up every ten minutes.

Speech hubbub is LOUD. I remember in the days when I still did pub gigs having to keep turning up my vocal monitor and thinking it was because of the drummer hitting too hard. I eventually realised it was the punters yakking - and the louder we went, the louder they yakked! (And as some here know I'm no shrinking violet in the vocal department).

Yes, you can bellow the odd song (unplugged) at a crowded room, but you don't want to do it very often as it's pretty unrewarding. It's tough on the throat and there's no chance of any subtlety. And it needs to be one they know already because very few will hear all the words.

Me, I'm all for making a stand against the idea that folk music is just about getting people to look at you. I think the songs deserve a space where people will have a chance to show them (and the singer) proper respect.