Back in the fall I arrived at an open mic early and the host and I chatted about how rude it was to be talking during performance. After she did her thing, I got up AND SHE PROCEEDED TO TALK CONSTANTLY as I sang. Now I am the host of an open mic and although I was disgusted by her behavior, I find THAT I CAN'T SHUT UP COMPLETELY EITHER. People are trying to chat up the host all the time and discuss the music. Solution; Make sure it is not all acoustic. Have a loud enough sound system AND MONITOR so that the performers can hear themselves. They'll get used to it and the best will get the attention they deserve. Otherwise you'll find the experience of hosting to be a big pain.