I agree with Vectis and most of the previous postings about over-amplification at concerts - ceilidhs at festivals are sometimes even worse.

I do use PA gear, but generally only in the open air or for large pub gigs where there's a lot of background noise. The system I use indoors has a maximum power of only 2x30w. The larger one which is only used outdoors (and in big marquees) is 2x150w.

I try to use a PA for just sound reinforcement. Once I asked an audience member after a big waterways concert, "Could you hear OK at the back ?" "Perfectly", he answered. "So the PA was alright then ?" I queried. His answer of "What PA ?" was the best one which I could have received.

One of the biggest problems with over-amplification is that it makes audience participation in choruses almost impossible - even for noisy b*****s like me !