Tony, I noticed the same thing at a local folk festival - it was other performers who were being the most noisy. The worst was when a group of 3 unamplified acappella singers (who were absolutely sublime harmonists (is that a word) were singing, and you could hardly hear them over the noise from the bar at the back. You would expect other performers to be more aware - but now I wonder whether it is perhaps to do with nerves and adrenalin. Perhaps is just the nervous energy making them chatter & laugh etc... (not much of an excuse tho' is it?)

Kris