As a singer who is known for drinking out of a quart (2 pint) pewter tankard on stage, I suppose I ought to add my half gill at least. A lot depends on the type of gig we're talking about. I notice that the thread says "THEIR GIG" from which I assume that it means when they are the main artist. I can actually remember several memorable gigs when the guests have consumed large amounts of alcohol - Noel Murphy and Alex Campbell (when he could still handle it) come to mind. I think you also have to take into consideration the sobriety of the audience. Most UK folk clubs tend to be on licensed premises - this is not so true in the US. The song "Reunion" by Cyril Tawney points out that it's not fun being sober when everyone else is not. While I still believe in moderation, being in a state slightly nearer to your audience can definitely help comunication. I must admit that for top instrumentalists even small amounts of alcohol could affect their playing - but as a singer I don't feel that I am quite so vulnerable. My standard of guitar playing is hardly that high when I'm stone cold sober, so I don't suppose a few pints makes it any worse. THIS THREAD WILL NOW BE SATURATED WITH ENTRIES CONFIRMING THE ABOVE STATEMENT.

I have noticed that one of the problems can be when performers are doing spots in concerts at festivals etc. It's difficult to spend a whole day at a festival without having the odd drink or ten, and especially if concerts are re-arranged at the last minute, performers can get caught out.

Finally drinking should NEVER be discouraged at sessions, singarounds etc. It is the oil that makes them work. We all can recall those wonderful harmonies, brilliant bits of syncoption that happen spontaineously. I'm still trying to find out who it is that re-edits our recording of them and makes them sound so crap......