I still haven't really worked out whether we run a folk club or not (but that's by the by) but we have put on some acts over the last 4 1/2 years as an addition or alternative to our weekly singaround (which has 20 to 40 people who come together and sing and play each week).

On amplification...

When Last Nights Fun came and played they bought a PA system and mixer; Kieran Halpin also came with PA; Marie Little didn't; Jacqueline MacDonald (of Jacqui and Bridie fame).

It's quite a small pub that we play in and the rare times that we put people on we rather leave it to them. Next month we have Hissyfit visiting and will have a PA there in case. It can get quite noisy with 40 + people in a smallish area (I know that everyone should listen etc) and my view is that it is fairer to a performer to let them be heard rather than have to battle people and I would guess that is also the view of the people who have come and brought PA's in the past.

I don't think we are collapsing at the moment as we seem to be seeing the attendance gradually increasing. There are currently a group of German students/parents/teachers visiting in the area and half a dozen of them came last week (and two of them joined in and sang); they go back on Thursday and were asked by one of their hosts where they would like to go out on their final night in the area - they decided that the pub and the singing was the thing that attracted them most so that's what they are doing.