All of the above

by Blase

I think the negative aspects associated with pay to play venues is a result of “strumn & humn” bar bands with delusions of grandeur having their bubble burst when reality sets in at a battle of the bands competition. Remove the competition aspect and the pay to play venue is exactly how bands have been making money for decades. Record companies paid pennies on the dollar of record sales and the ability to sell tickets for live shows is what paid for the Bentleys.

Music like all art forms is subjective, some people get it some don’t and with the internet providing exposure like never before, bands with something marketable should have no trouble selling tickets to a show. Find two other bands to fill the bill, rent a venue and sell tickets. It’s what bands do. What’s so terrible about that?