big noisy pub
the dynachord or the peavey - the 500watt peavey - and they do a lightweight but very big speaker. don't buy the yamaha either which for some reason isn't powerful enough despite the 500watt label and many attractive bells and whistles. but the 1000 watt is better.

the mackie system is pretty damn good also. expensive, but good.
I've seen the Carlsboro power amp mixer used by a local duo - but the peavey speakers are better or even better JBL( but they are heaveee!)

I've got two fender fold up ones - they're brilliant for little quiet venues old peoples homes - folkclubs where they shut up. but they couldn't deal with a bass instrument - tiny little speakers - the bose is really the same - or at least it was, last time I tried one, which is a while back. and as for crowd noise - remember Jerry garcia's dictum about PA - either you eat the room, or the room eats you.

one piece of advice - go out see what your competitors are using. see what works. buy it -even if the cost frightens you. if you buy stuff that doesn't work - you will die on your arse and your band will split up.

if your credit card can buy it, get it. then you will be the boss. not out of power mania, but if fred the fiddler gets ego tantrums - he can go and tant somewhere else - even if they all leave you - you can put together another project. Insist that the group help you carry it in - even if does arrive in your car - its the least they can do, after the financial burden you have shouldered for them. if fred the fiddler needs twenty minutes to tune up and goes straight to that when he arrives - be blunt.

these are all sad comments on human frailty I guess, but i think most people would recognise the accuracy of my observations.

try to develop a good working relationship with a local shop - one big enough to lend another one if they are repairing your system. Rude and disinterested...? then you MUST look elsewhere, if they aren't interested enough to be polite at this point when they might make money out of you, its pretty much downhill all the way.

Best of luck!

Big al whittle