"Reassuringly expensive". Yes, I remember that well! I always thought it was a clever attempt to sell a rather crappy product. There's an interesting comment on this in Wikipedia (not always a reliable source, mind you):

During 2007, the "reassuringly expensive" slogan was dropped, and the word "Stella" has been avoided in the advertisements. This has been seen as a reaction to the lager's perceived connection with aggression and binge-drinking in the United Kingdom, where it is nicknamed "wife beater".

The snob appeal of highly-priced and often very average quality commodities is, as you say, a well-known fact of commercial life. You also say that it probably applies less in the informed, multi-layered folk 'market'. I do hope that this is the case! :-)

Much of the band work that I've been involved in over the years has been to do with functional, rather than concert, work. And, of course, in the world of playing for functions, there's no such thing as a percentage - you get a fee which has either been negotiated by you, or on you behalf by an agent. If you don't like the proposed fee, you don't do the gig.