Performers in the US will travel by air. However that's because, far from having the best venues stitched up as Conrad seems to believe, they have to take work where they can find it, which means travelling long distances between gigs. Given the scale of North America, flying is often the quickest (and possibly cheapest) means of transport. However they are no different from thousands of others who have to travel in the course of their work. It's not a jet-set lifestyle.

In the UK, distances are shorter but professional musicians clock up thousands of miles each year travelling between gigs. It is not unusual for them to be playing at opposite ends of the country on consecutive nights. Only a very few are able to organise tours to minimise travel - most have to take gigs when and where they are offered. They end up staying in cheap hotels or in organisers' spare rooms.

Believe me, business travel even in 4-star hotels is not glamorous. Sleeping on people's sofas even less.