So many interesting replies, it's really made me think about what I like about gigging and what I don't - I'm in a three piece and they're both really lovely, in ten years we've barely had a minor disagreement, we're booked up for a gig every fortnight for eighteen months or we were. Playing with people so long and so often is fabulous - we know what we're thinking and do have a great laugh. I make a nice but of pocket money from it too.
The setting up, taking down, travel is an utter PIA and that used to be completely put in the shade by the enjoyment of performing which was just brilliant. I guess that changed a couple of years ago when I started to transition - I went through a year of utter hell - whizzed blokes at working men's clubs etc, not being able to use the loo for six hours etc - performing became nothing but stress and even though I kind of got out the other side of all that crap I think it's taken the shine off things. I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water and I know it's actually useful for people to meet their first trans person but I play to escape the rubbish not just get a load more. I guess there's no rush to decide.