I did a pub gig last night in Worthing. It'd been billed as a folk night, but I mixed in some poppier stuff. My (fairly limited) experience is that the non-folk audience can cope with a suitable mixture, but give them too many songs that are unfamiliar in a row, you start to lose them.

It was a pretty quiet night, very wet and stormy which may have stopped a few from venturing out - but sufficient. In a way it helped because maybe I wasn't trying too hard or something. (Cos I know I sometimes do try too hard) but it was a great vibe

There were enough who clapped now and then and/or seemed to pay particular attention and/or engage in a bit of banter. But nobody who was going to join in lustily on the choruses. It didn't seem to need it on the night.

I also do some stuff on a loop station which helps, too, cos it's a good gimmick and breaks things up. Two sets of each about 55 minutes from 9 until 11. In approximate order they were:

Willin'
Katy Cruel
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Tracks of my Tears
Prickle-Eye Bush*
Mrs Robinson
Route 66
Bunch of English Country Dances*
Down Where the Drunkards Roll
You Picked a Fine Time*

Bold Riley
Hares on the Mountain
Nellie the Elephant
Pants of Peace
Bonny Breast Knot*
Annabelle
House of the Rising Sun
Eggs in her Basket**
In my Time of Dying medley
Lion Sleeps Tonight*
All Along the Watchtower
Big Yellow Taxi

*Looper
**Looper with trumpet in a Mariachi band style a la Susan McKeowan.

So, maybe not terribly heavily folk-oriented now I look back at it. But six trad, and a few more which are definitely suitable for folk club audience...

Dunno if that helps or not, really.

--
Hamish