I wonder if the world of live performed music will get to a point where new original music is the exception, and cover bands and repetition of the old is the rule. Is this a reflection of what the audience wants? Imitation because of its familiarity? And if it's not even close to the quality of the original, why bother with poor imitation? Is it just familiarity, accessibility and nostalgia rolled into a sub-par copy? Or is the demand for the original music so great it creates copies simply to satisfy it?
In that vein, I'm working on a new (old) music festival called Really Dead Fest featuring nothing but Grateful Dead cover bands. Cant see how that wouldn't be a success. Also, its probably already been done.