What can any of you tell us about the folk clubs of today? How many folk clubs are there in this country? How many have you actually been to? How many have closed down?

I am not qualified. But here's my impressions:

FOLK CLUB

Earnest.
In-crowd.
Quiet.
Worthy.
Same old.
Frequent poor-quality floor spots.
Non-judgemental even in the face of frequent mediocrity.

PUB SESSION

Everybody plays almost all the time as much as they want to. Within reason, of course.
Far more traditional music played and heard than in any folk club.
Democratic.
A bit noisy.
Brings in the crowds.
Atmosphere.

FUN.

Comparisons are invidious. I'm biased. There are good things about folk clubs and bad things about sessions, I've seen all that. Just ask yourself how many clubs there are that are actually thriving. And whether they actually perform the function of keeping folk music alive and kicking, given the in-crowd, exclusive, precious ethos that may or may not prevail but which is their abiding image. I have my severe doubts. Keeping folk music alive is in the hands of, er, folks. And by no means do all of them go to folk clubs.