Roger - you say that there are better venues than pubs for booked acts. What do you suggest these are?

If a festival wants to have a range of different venues - from large, formal concerts, to smaller, more intimate sets, pubs are ideal. Furthermore, the building is already there and, often th elandlord will contribute to the festival budget by chipping in some dosh. Much better than having to hire a marquee and security!

I do know where you are 'coming from' but surely a pub can be 'shared' - the informal music making can either be in a different pub, or can take place at different times to the (only slightly) more formal events.