What do I hear at folk clubs?
A broad range of material,both song and music ranging from unacompanied trad to contemporary.I do also hear the odd pop song often from the 50's or 60's which given the age range of the audience would be blast from past reminding them of their youth. Comic songs are sometimes sung to give a change of mood.
This is the the type of material I have heard ever since I first encountered folk club in the late 60's
The fact that the audience was part of the music ie encouraged and expected to join in with refrains and with songs well known in that club even some verses,made them a warm and welcoming gathering.
Having been to some country Pubs on Dartmoor in 60's and early 70's where the locals would have sings I found a similar mix of music and song,I doubt they were even aware of the folk scene.
I think a range of song and music was always sung by the ordinary people.The singers would pick their contributions to suit the audience and the occasion.