tbh being in a live touring band in post-covid times seems like it kinda really fucking sucks. touring has always sucked off economically in a huge manner for most bands but with the insane increase in all sorts of wages that you have to pay to do this shit post-2020, touring seems even harder now if you can believe it. so buying a cool ass band shirt or cool ass band record at the show from a band you like really does make the difference. it's a win-win situation: you will probably be happy and look really good repping some cool ass merch and thanks to you, the band is paying off a hotel, gas, food for the night or something else that's actually valuable within the crazy touring musician hustle.
even though the show is in a city you do not live in and you canβt realistically afford an airbnb or hotel for the night π bc who knows when the next tour will be, or if they blow up and then you never get the small venue experience again.
