Midchuck makes a good point. I'm always amazed at the number of people who talk over performers. I saw Dylan this year and was surrounded by about a dozen people who knew each other, they didn't shut up the whole time. Our seats weren't the greatest, so the sound wasn't getting to us to begin with. Man it was annoying.

I think given the size of most clubs it is necessary to use P.A.s. It's amazing how a good sound person can capture the acoustic sound. A case in point would be when I saw Rick at Greenbank and at his CD release party. But then again, at these venues the sound didn't have to be cranked up because the whole audience was respectful and listened rather than talk through the performers.