I MC the Brighton Acoustic Session once a month - which has one two guests each evening it runs.

We start between 8.15pm and 8.30pm, depending on when the room gets filled, and finish at 11.00pm. The guest(s) do 2 x 40 minute spots. I usually break the ice by starting the evening off, then all the available space either side of a 20-minute break is for the floor spots. I try and fit everone in if possible, allowing around 5 minutes on average for each performer. If there are fewer performers than usual, they might get two spots - it's all worked out on the fly.

It's rare to get more floor singers than time available. If that happens, I decide who has to miss out but, as said, that's very rare.