I always do stick around and talk to the audience - that's the enjoyable bit, and does tend to lead to more bookings. Having said that, after the best gig we've yet done, I found it more trying than anything. I came off stage and just wanted to collapse in a heap, and couldn't move for people coming up and babbling at me. I found the reaction quite strange and overwhelming, and a bit intimidating. It was how I'd always dreamed it would be - but it didn't make me happy.

I've been going for about a year now as a full-on performer (as opposed to bit part player in someone else's band). The nerves are getting easier but yes I do sometimes wonder why I'm doing it if it's not actually that enjoyable. I feel absolutely compelled to, but why?

I suppose love of music for one thing (I get a big kick from the way we sound in rehearsals sometimes), and I do secretly enjoy the fact that people are always quite impressed that I'm a musician.

On the point of getting a well-informed friend to give you a second opinion, this does work for me, but I do find that they tend to want to give me advice, which I find really off-putting.

God I must sound like a curmudgeonly old bag...