Rob - that's not my experience of two decades of gig-going in London (and two years in Manchester). At the risk of sounding like a snooty Londoner, I suspect that things are a little different in towns where there's literally only one or two venues.

(I reckon I've got a better grasp of the London and indeed national indie scene than most: I've played in various indie bands since I was 16, touring nationally and internationally)

Though I'm glad to hear you regularly trek to my local, The Windmill. A lovely little venue that's just round the corner from me.

I've played there many times myself. Have to say that that in itself rather proves my point: can't say there's ever been anyone in the audience who had "just turned up on spec".

I started playing the odd folk song in public about 5 years ago. Right from the start, I was amazed at the fact that I'd get offered gigs without asking for them. That simply never happened with indie bands.