It's a toss up. I love playing with my full 5-6 pc band. Takes the pressure off of doing everything. I have a lead singer so I don't have to all night, and other musicians to do instrumentals I would otherwise leave out of my solo sets. The overall product is better.But then you're managing personalities and the stage all night. Easier to manage your own volume levels than everybody else's. Nobody to chase after when its time to go back on...

I had a client request a live drummer at a gig, so I did the duo. Drummer said same thing- that I could have done gig myself.
And made more $$.

One of my band members was terrific but talked a lot. When we would eat between sets, he talked more than ate and was never ready to go back on in time. I started without him a few times... Another always shows up last minute or late. Of course I would talk to them, but they were/are quality
performers too good to replace. Its these things that make me say its easier by myself.