I played in a (very local) band as a young adult and got to open for a couple of my favorite bands of the time (HC/*core scene of late 00s). It was great. The best show I’ve ever opened for was also my favorite show of all time, room was tiny but packed from the first second of the set. Just hanging out around the door and you’d be talking with some band members, most of the time.
You don’t have to convince me with regards to late-stage capitalism, rest assured…