Great thread.

As a performer, I really like being able to turn up, not to have to do sound checks, argue about levels in the monitors and worry about the sound checks running into the performance time, especially if you are low down in the billing, you might just get shoved on and told "we'll balance you as you play". It costs too. After spending lots of money on quality instruments, you then have to spend plenty more to make sure you have the right pickup and the right pre-amp/eq system to get the "natural" sound of the instrument, even then, you are at the mercy of the sound engineer. Also, I think playing acoustically makes you sensitive to what is going on around you, altering what you play and how you play it to make sure that you have a good balance with your colleagues.

As a member of an audience, I hate the performance starting late due to complications, the time eaten between acts adjusting the mics and doing yet another sound check, because things have changed (including the acoustics of the venue now that it is packed with people). I also hate having to put up with the prejudices of the sound engineer, the eq they use, volumes and effects, especially if the engineer in question is not familiar with the genre or the act.

Yep I still like to listen to electric stuff, but I like the simplicity and nuances that come with doing it without a PA.

Incidentally, Mawkin were playing at a festival, Sidmouth I think, where the power went off. They got off stage and went and sat right in front of the audience. They made quite a few friends and enhanced their reputation.