If you want to be precious about it, any time a band plays a gig in a traditional venue – pub, club, whatever – they’re helping The Man sell beer.

Did you see this?

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sashafrerejones/2013/08/how-will-musicians-survive-in-the-spotify-era.html

“The working question is not about the life of a band like Wilco but of smaller outfits, where making a living is sometimes not even a question, when a day job is the only option. How do we think of music when the chances of it providing a living salary are incredibly small? What is the positive viable future for marginal (not a bad word) and independent artists?”

It’s a good piece, well worth your time.