General Music Chat

I have to chuckle sometimes when people talk about the demise of guitar music, live rock bands, covers vs. originals and so on, without considering what the music you are playing (on any instrument) does for your audience, and, perhaps most importantly, you!
Playing music people can dance to is only good if you make people dance. The same is true for music that people listen to. If the venue isn't conducive for playing music people listen to, they won't. They won't listen sometimes because they cannot hear over the crowd's rude noise and just lose interest, distracting TV's , etc. and sometimes, the music just isn't right for the audience. Think about that before you take the gig.
I've lived and gigged in many places in the US, and traveled all over the world and one thing is the same world over....the music you play must match your audience or you fail. Whether you're playing Irish music in a pub in Dublin Ireland or rock and roll covers in a bar in Montgomery Alabama, it works only if your music matches your audience.
Finally, what does playing music do for you? Emotional fulfillment or just a paycheck? Satisfaction has many levels. What's yours?