As a singer having age, medical conditions and medicines working against my cognition and memory this thread makes me very uncomfortable. I have to rely on printed words, except for a very few songs learned long ago. All the practice in the world now does not help me learn a new song fully. And even when I think I have one down, lack of confidence screws me in a performance situation.

So now I don't want to go out to sing in sessions because I don't have the same functionality as others.   I feel ashamed that I have to either use my song book or bore people to death with the same handful of tired memorised songs. Because of some responses on this thread and others, I feel I have nothing of value to offer.

If I were a paid singer (which I can never be due to reasons stated above) I would not perform from the book. But as an audience member, I have no truck with any performer (paid or not) who does rely on printed words. I am more concerned with whether they and/or the songs they sing are engaging.

Often the content/story of the song itself, though it may be enhanced by a very good performer, is enough to keep me interested, regardless of the skill of said performer.