"The folk singaround is no better or worse than the karaoke night. Surely both serve the same purpose: people getting together to sing songs they like and to enjoy themselves."

On a very basic level, yes. But I want more than to "sing songs that I like".

The fortnightly folk nights that I help run provide a meeting place for a wide variety of singers and musicians as well as audience. At these sessions I can hear original material, non-original material that singers/ musicians have made their own and songs and tunes that I haven't heard before (and might wish to do myself). I can sing and play along with others using my own harmonies and musical accompaniment. This is what I'd describe as a creative environment, people constantly engaging with each other, learning from each other and sharing ideas. I've learnt a lot from these sessions, and have consequently improved significantly as both singer and musician. And apart from anything else, it's bloody good fun! Not a po-face in the house!

On the other hand, standing on a stage with a microphone in my hand, imitating something that I've supposedly seen on a music video, recreating every burp, fart, "oooh" and movement would be about as interesting for me as watching paint dry. There is no musical space or freedom; no opportunity to create; no way I could make the song my own. For me, karaoke is the hand of death musically. Everything is pre-determined, the script is already written, the space for creativity non-existent. It goes no further than cliche.

I therefore do not accept the notion that there is no qualitative difference between a singaround and a karaoke session.

(This is not to say that every folk club or session is as good as the one I refer to above. I've been to some pretty dire ones that I'd not wish to revisit!)