Sandman- it's down to your preferences and it's as simple as that. If you talk about 'folk' clubs or 'traditional' singing you may argue that when you pay your fiver & are disappointed that it's not what you expected, you're asking the impossible, i.e. pleasing ALL the people ALL the time. I try to do that but it's very difficult!
   These terms were used by some of the earliest & most successful clubs like Newcastle and Swindon, but there was always a great variety, the Davy Lamp & Birtley a few miles apart were very different, but interestingly, attracted many of the same people- and although one-off visitors may be misled/disappointed, local punters will surely KNOW what kind of club the local one is & what the general ambience is?

   Jim Carroll, the folks at the Empress of Russia had their own idea of what the music was about & acted accordingly- it WAS on a Thursday night & along with Jake Thackeray & Tom Robinson, guests included the Old Hat Band from Suffolk and Johnny Doughty- I well recall driving him up from Camber for the night- so really we're back to your idea of what music or performers are good/valid/traditional/folk & we've been there before- I know what I like & so do other people- get used to it!