Like fringe parasite i spent a week playing in informal sessions in whitby pubs. Were i to have attended concerts or workshops of course I would have payed. Asking people to pay for something they do not use seems unreasonable.
festivals are like any other market and supply and demand determine their future. As for fringe players I guess it is communal music making which is their preference and they will always find somewhere to indulge their hobby festivals or no.
john