Of course, there are still "covers" bands (in the 1950s sense) - found in pubs and at weddings all over the country. But these are really only a few steps up from karaoke,

These guys are the real Traditional Musicians, fulfilling an essential need in their community to do exactly what people expect of them with respect of their Cultural Canon - & to do it well, especially as that's what they're being paid to do. As such, they're part of an unbroken tradition of versatile & dynamic musical professionals going back a thousand years at least. They are the noble mistrels of our day - and certainly not to be scoffed at.

Ever heard of Bandeoke? This is where punters get to sing their favourite songs with a live band.