We probably go to about a dozen clubs around our local area. We returned to the folk scene about ten years ago having been uninvolved for a number of years due to family/work.

A lot of the people in these clubs have become personal friends, and the social aspect of going to clubs is very important to us - virtually the whole of our social life centered around music.

The level of skill of these people varies enormously, but as they are friends we do not criticise if the performance is a bit on the weak side - I think many people who go to clubs subscribe to what we used to refer to in teaching as the "hidden curriculum" , and a lot will be lost if level of skill is overemphasized.

I you are listening to a paid guest that is different of course.