To be serious for a change, and from limited experience, I have been impressed with the standard of singing and playing of the young people (and some not so young) at our local acoustic Open Mic (every Tuesday 8.30 main bar Jagz, Ascot, UK). I'll draw a veil over some of the "here's one one mine" songwriting quality, but performance-wise they all seem very good & one can see people growing in confidence. Jagz policy is to encourage young talent to develop performing confidence. That's why I don't perform, just listen- I am no longer young, have bags of confidence but no talent. Mind you, when hardly anyone turns up to perform there is always the danger that the Kazoo of Doom, the Voice that Talent Forgot, or even, G*d forbid, the Washboard of Mass Destruction, might be tempted to grab a mike!
Tomorrow Kelly (daughter of Bill)Boazman will headline on keyboard and vocals, hopefully other acts will turn up.

RtS