Another night done and dusted ... Last night: all pre-booked open mics spots and they all turned up (phew!) Q: Which is worse not knowing if ANYONE is going to come or people booking and not turning up? One performer peripheral to the evening floated in (drunk) and constantly sulking big time because they couldn't just do a spot like there and then. (Some nights this is possible, last night everyone had booked their 15 minutes and because they ALL turned up late we couldn't accomodate any additional spots). Q: Regulars - who make a habit of turning up late deliberately in order that they will get a later spot (perceived as higher status) 1. Pulled the plug on one act who is consistently told firmly '10 mins or 2 songs, etc' and then becomes transfixed to the spot carrying on and on - incidentally one who never books a spot either and also always turns up late. Happily, HE is BIG enough to accept when he's pushed his limit. 2. One performer who every time they come, comes accompanied by disruptive elements. They have alienated and lost the club both customers and other performers. Their 'argument' is that if the other acts were any good then people (and they presumably) WOULD shut up and listen. They will be banned - and I am pulling their act from the festival showcase: they haven't earned it, they don't deserve it, they drive away more than they pull in (which are the disruptive elements I mentioned earlier.

(Plus: after they had flounced off after being asked to keep it down, they were waylaying people as they were coming out (I didn't realise this).

- I was tackled the night before at another event about my expectations of people lending a respectful hush - apparently I am 'heavy' about it (actually no, I'm not) because 'they' want, and it should be, fun. Fun, however is not at everyone else's expense. 3. My top act (which people had come to listen to and stayed through the rest of evening to hear) let themselves down (and the club) - under-rehearsed, pissed, here's one we made up earlier today, and, let's insist on pushing our experimental boundaries with an excruciating fuzz box which was uncontrollable via the PA. They will be spoken to (using very good guidelines that people have raised above). 4. We had some great acts - it has to be said. On the evidence of a very genre-challenging(?) demo which I had been holding my breath about, one new act was the surprise hit of the evening! He can come back! Altho', critically 15 minutes is about right for that particular (very different /alternative) genre. 5. Of all the issues which I had taken on board from the great advice above, all the contingency plans I had - which all worked (and actually I enjoyed the evening) the one unprecedented scenario last night was the number of performers who were drunk and the supporters with them who were drunk. I wasn't flummoxed but I was deeply, deeply bemused and now have my protective instincts for the club in its entirety (audience, reputation, other performers, etc) finely honed without any emotional baggage about confrontations and 'upsetting' people in order to try and keep everyone happpy ..

Thank you, Mudcatters, thank you, for helping me see the woods for the trees and the way out!