SteveC,
RE: The Unpardonable Sin.
I feel that one of the things that the folk audience notices about success is the disappearance of the "famous" from normal view. That is, when a performer/band achieves fame they find themselves locked into the Recording/Major Venue/Festival circuit and their local "club" appearances stop. This "prices them out of the market" for many of the followers they had and reduces the frequency with which they are seen.
Remembering that big stages require a complete change in presentation for the performer, and filling a large venue means finding a big audience, it's a short step from "disappointment" to "sell-out" for the aggrieved original audience.

Personally I know of many widely popular performers that I would regret losing from the club circuit. I currently get to see them live in the intimate surroundings of a club venue, about once every 18 - 24 months, at a price I can afford. Should they withdraw from that I'll still have the chance to see them, at about he same frequency but for three times the price!

AndyG