There's obviously a big difference between those who are (or would like to become) "performers", and those of us who see singing as primarily a social activity.

I have been to various folk clubs over the last 35 years, but would never dream of getting up and doing a "spot". Most of my singing has been in pubs or private social occasions (parties, weddings, etc), where someone might lead a song, but it was understood that everybody would join in in all the bits they could remember - chorus or verse.

I've been going to local singarounds in for about 3-4 years now, and have begun to feel comfortable there. Last year I went to half-a-dozen folk festivals and joined in pub singarounds, but never went to see any of the booked acts. I prefer doing to watching. YMMV. There's room for all sorts in the folk world, but my personal preference is to get a public bar joining in "Lily The Pink", rather than sit in a concert at a folk festival.

But I don't want to stop people who do enjoy that.

WassaiL! V