Is it too difficult to adapt to online platforms for your music? Does your music only work in person or is it too difficult to promote it online? Asking out of curiosity because I saw this happen to a lot of local comedians as well, but many just started using online tools to perform for their fans. Admittedly not for everyone so many had to get day jobs.
It is a very specific niche where online presence is extremely valued so you can get shows. That's pretty draining for introverts like me. And, it seems that after the pandemic, a new phenomenon has emerged where you have to be part of a political and social agenda to please the contractors.
I'm not sure if this applies to the OP but I've known quite a few full or part time set musicians, instrument players, and similar performers who don't have a "following".
They're simply people who get paid for making music well. Often as part of a performance.
Promotion and marketing isn't generally what they do.
From what I can tell most musicians make most of their money touring and selling merch. The top 40 artists make plenty through streaming, but everyone else is getting pennies. Not being able to tour and people staying inside probably made it a lot tougher to sell merch, so musicians were struggling.