A local skiffle group who my older sister knew, they did Lonnie Donegan material I seem to remember, so I bought a guitar (OK an egg slicer really the action was horrible)when I was about 11 years old, still trying to play one.
At school we had/developed a tradition to sing all the way home on any coach trip we went on. This required knowing many songs.
Folk Clubs when I was around 16, one of which at the "Noel Timpson Youth Centre" on Friday nights had loads of people on who were playing MSG on the Saturday, for far less admission fee.
My first date with my wife was a Spinners concert at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester
Yes there was always the Beer.
Steeleye Span got me into "English" Folk Music more.
Fortunately the "Dark Side" of singer songwriters NEVER EVER appealed to me.
JohnB