I’ve checked the small, mostly non-profit venues in my city where I usually go to concerts again. You’re right, they’re usually embedding Youtube videos and not Spotify. I don’t know if Google is that much better than Spotify. And I can’t listen to that on the go. So I’m usually looking up these artists on Spotify, download an album and listen to it in a trip or while cleaning, to see if I wanna go to the concert. If I liked the show, I will buy some merch and maybe an LP at the show and subscribe to their newsletter, if they have one.
So yeah, I could probably listen to their stuff on Bandcamp before the show instead, which would be a bit less convenient for me but better for them. If they weren’t on Spotify, I would probably find them on Bandcamp and still see the show. But chances are probably higher on Spotify and they eventually get my money at the show, which is the only way to make a bit of money right now. I think overall, less people would see the show if they weren’t on Spotify and I don’t think that helps. I know that sounds lazy and it probably is, but I’m trying to be honest with you and myself here.
edit: Going to Le Guess Who festival over the weekend, which is probably the biggest niche festival there is. I will listen to all artists on the Spotify playlist and to the albums from the artists that I liked. Hard to do that on Bandcamp. Many shows I’ve seen there in the past lead to a year long and deep relationship with the artist’s music.
edit2: @Fin25: I agree in spirit about working your ass of to find music, but I also remember how many artists I’ve later discovered simply weren’t available anywhere when I was a teenager.