Having noticed that some good performers were not appreciated by the audience, we set about finding an audience that did like them. It's pretty hard for traditional singers to charm a devoted contemporary audience etc... but a different audience might love them.

We do themed concerts. The audience know exactly what they're getting and pay £3.50. We get four or five specially chosen acts and ask them if they have any songs to fit into a particular theme. (loose themes)Then we can publicise them as heavily as possible, which is the only benefit they get from performing.

So far we've done bards and Ballads, Mirth and Merriment and Love and Loss. Attendances were good, in some cases very good. And for all the adverse comments about suicide songs, the Love and Loss concert went down a bomb. We're also trying taking the show to different venues to prevent the wearing out of the same audience.

our open mics are £1 to get in. We have many MCs on a rota, which means different acts are preferred and used and in some case giving ;longer slots. I can't say everyopne's happy,(are they ever?) but it works for most people!!!

Hyde Folk Club and Plymouth Folk Festival, Devon, UK.