Brian James - excellent post.

I too am a swing/jazz/pop vocalist that leans a lot toward Sinatra and that genre. To do this a capella or even with a guitar or other solo instrument just doesn't work. You need the full Nelson Riddle or Count Basie behind you if you want to sound right. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting or infering that I'm a Frank impersonator, but merely the songs from that era and that style of delivery is what is important (to me).

So I've got to use a small battery-powered amp. Like Brian, I introduce myself if near local shops etc, give them my card, tell them what I sing and ALWAYS ask them for their input. I tell them that it is difficult for me to judge the volume when I'm in back of the mic and amp, and so encourage them to let me know if it is too loud etc. And of course, I will ALWAYS comply, even if they suggest it is too loud and not suitable - I'll move on elsewhere.

It's all about keeping goodwill, and this courtesy has had me invited back on many occasions, even resulting in some private gigs!

Just last weekend I was busking and the manager of the markets asked me to return the following Saturday and that he'd provide mains power for me. This isn't so that I can be any louder than I was, but as he's a muso himself, he realized that I have "pro" equipment that makes me sound infinitely better than any battery kit can do. Really nothing more than a PA and condenser mics instead of dynamic mics. Understand this was offered by him, not by me asking! I wonder how many buskers here who "shun" the use of amps would react to this kind of an offer???

As for others busking in proximity, again it is all about courtesy and not "stepping on someone's toes" so to speak. I'll make sure I'm well enough away from any other performers primarily because I use amplification (tho very, very limited really), but also out of respect of their own art. I might even sound much better than they do, but this is their space and I've no right to infringe upon it. In much the same way as a local farmer wouldn't set up a fruit & veg stall outside his local grocers, one has to consider similar conditions when performing on the street and respect the rights of others, even if those rights are "grey area". Simple courtesy always wins, IMHO.

Just my two cents...

Dave