[pecg]

> when you're a tiny indie band playing for fun rather than professionally

Playing for fun is playing professionally, as long as it has passion.

> there are only 20 people there and the only reward you get is the chance to play for them.

I'm not going preachy here, but playing in front of people something you wrote is an invaluable reward.

[beat]

I know. I mean, I do this. I go to a lot of effort and expense to play music for small audiences, solely for the pleasure that they're there to listen to my songs. Which is why it's so sad when someone is busy reading social media rather than listening.