You are not alone!!

There are quite a few threads here on etiquette for sessions, singarounds and clubs - I'm sure the Joe Clones can find some and link them!

I know what you mean about the 'turn' coming in, blagging a spot and demanding attention as if they were in a concert. As far as I'm concerned, if they come to a singaround, they are treated as any other singer.... Ian Bruce springs to mind as one of those who just sit in the audience and wait to be invited, and - most importantly - DON'T BUGGER OFF AS SOON AS THEY HAVE DONE THEIR SPOT!! I know one person (not mainstream, but a professional all the same) who does just that - comes in, makes a fuss, gets a spot and then is out the door almost before the applause has died down. It drives me and a lot of other people absolutely barmy!

And don't get me started on inappropriate venues and lack of seating ... although I think it particuarly appalling that no-one got up to offer you a seat. I'm not one of these people that think 'I'm performing here so I must have a seat', but there are people out there who assume that the right of seating is theirs alone just becasue they have sung a song. Neither am I a female (well, I AM female, but....) that who demands a seat as my right as a female. Having said that, I will take one if offered, but give it up if someone obviously needs it more than I do. It seems that politeness and courtesy are no longer considered necessary.

Having said that, I hope it hasn't put you off festivals altogether. Try and get to Towersey, in Oxfordshire, August Bank Holiday - it's one of the best singarounds on the circuit and we'll make sure you get a seat!

LTS