Every time I hear a band encourage people to come down to the front and dance, my heart sinks. OK, if the conditions are appropriate (but they seldom are) however I still think it's more about an ego trip for the band than anything else. Who was it who said 'This tune's got a great beat, so if you feel like clapping along to it, please DON'T'! Whoever it was, had the right idea.

It's true that in the smaller marquee the sound was much better. Partly, I think, because it was smaller and partly because Alistair Russell was in charge of it. It still sometimes got very loud though. I suppose I'm too old to appreciate fiddles so loud they hurt my ears and drums that give me an unpleasant thudding in my chest.

As to not expecting perfect sound. I think if I've paid £174 (a lot of money on a pension) to hear world-class artists I have every right to expect world-class sound.