Well of the 5 sessions/ singarounds I go to in Kent (including the Seven Stars one - though these days not as often as I'd like due to changes in work situation) only one could remotely be described as being less than "completely even-handed".

In 3 of them, the order passes around the room in strict rotation, whoever you are, so everyone gets the same opportunity to sing/ play, no matter what their standard or status as "regulars", "transients" or "stars".

The other two have MCs who "call upon" people. One of these is very good at keeping track of who he's called, and although he doesn't stick to a strict order, makes sure that by the end of the night everyone's been "called" the same number of times. The other MC is more apt to call on specifiec friends, "stars" or people whose style of playing/ singing he personally likes. I don't go to that session very often as although the approach is only *slightly* unfair it still grates. I'm not a particularly good performer at all, but I do resent travelling 45 minutes each way to that session and then only being "called" once when others are called 3-4 times. Sure, a lot of them are better than me, but a few aren't...they just know the MC better than I do!

For the most part, though, what's struck me at these sessions, and at the others in Sussex and Surrey that I go to, is the welcome given to new performers, and the fairness, sometimes to the point of over-generosity, shown to them. As someone who's being playing guitar for just 3 years now, with practice time limited by a full-time job and other activities, and who doesn't have a great singing voice, I've been very pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and inclusivity.