Not die, Dave - change and possibly fragment, with a danger of some valuable things being lost in the process.

Without enough guest clubs to keep a team of guests in work, concerts and festivals would have fewer time-served, nationally known, experienced headliners (specially once the current Old Guard retire). (And how would young performers learn how to hold an audience for two hours before stepping onto a big stage?)

And participants would eventually only be able to get new music from recordings, books and distant performers, and without the intimate observation and interaction provided by visiting role models and 'experts' would find it harder to connect to the tradition and develop as singers, players and writers.

Instead of a nice big healthy tree with roots, trunk and branches - and seasonal sap-rising, we'd have something more akin to a snakes and ladders board.

And we might loose some great music along the way too.