Must admit, I quite liked not having to use a PA. We usually do and it felt quite strange without mics and Angela without her electric cello but it was a pleasant change although scary for me because i haven't got a very powerful voice, especially if nervous. I hate the hassles of pa, monitors, speakers and thousands of wires (which I usually manage to trip over!)
Sound checks are difficult when you have more than one band playing and ideally the sound man needs to be at the back of the room to hear what the audience are hearing. I think it is good to have a variety of music and that Les is strict with timing because we all tend to get carried away when performing and think...just one more song...
Trouble is, the last acts of the night miss out on time if the earlier ones hog the stage so keep up the nagging re time, Les, it is good and we all understand, honest!