I think the misconception that all new or part-time musicians are desperate strugglers walking around with guitars strapped to their backs, looking for someone, anyone, to give them one teeny tiny opportunity to display their talent, needs to die.

Musicians are artists who work very hard, labouring into the wee hours of the morning, sometimes to finish just a couple of verses. Only after extensive sessions and multiple improvisations is a song good to go.

So, when some loser comes along and disregards this lot's professional value by trying to get them to “play for free” at random venues, it really, really sucks.