Hello J Clapp. I haven't seen any evidence of the music licensing problem hindering any clubs myself but my view is very narrow because I'm 27 and have only been attending folk clubs for the past five years. The only issue with folk clubs seems to me to be just that. They often feel like an actual 'club' where to get by you need to know someone who's already involved in going there. This isn't the case for me though. I turned up to my local and was made to feel welcome. I have played my song arrangements from the beginning and was given great feedback and future support to billed artists.

My other feeling is that confining the music to clubs does sort of make the music feel slightly too precious and lots of relations and friends of mine just find the sort of music on offer - boring and not fun. Not all of it. Just most of it I'm afraid. That's a different discussion though.

Also, see the Band Room near Kirby Moorside in North Yorkshire where they are a village hall type affair and has no smoking but you can take your own drinks. They seem to really thrive in the relaxed atmosphere they have but they mainly book 'Americana' acts. Whatever that means!

Oh and I don't agree with the smoking ban thing. I never went to pubs nearly as much as I do now and I have many friends (smoking and non smoking) who agree. But that's just me. Hope this helps a bit.