Since Gail mentioned it, I winced at the mention of a ten-piece band that cannot break even in those venues. One thing for say a ten-piece or so ceilidh band with day jobs to not even cover expenses on a gig, but musicians making a career of it really need to be doing better than about minimum wage.

I applaud the idealism, but there's a lot to be said for sustainability if the Unthanks are to go on entertaining current youth as they mature together.