We (Sandrigg) play accoustically if we can, though sometimes the caller uses a mic to get over the sound of the feet and progressively heavier breathing. Whatever, though, we are never so loud that people can't comfortably chat around the edge of the dance-floor (if we are lucky enough to HAVE a dance floor....!). Often, the amount of soft furnishings/carpets in the venue mean that accoustic playing is not practical so we turn up equipped for most situations.

Unless the room is VERY large (or a marquee where the sound has no natural barrier), we always sing our harmony songs without amplification - 3 confident voices carry very well in most venues.

LN