In high pressure situations, like TV, a distraction could be costly to a performance. I play small time rooms to home town crowds, and if I miss a lyric, or play the wrong chord, nobody dies. In the big time - sponsors get unraveled if a performer flubs up. There's no shame in having a "safety net" on stage. The trick is to use it like your rear view mirror - just quick glances to stay on track. The focus should ALWAYS be on the audience. If you and the crowd are not connected ... again, you better start playing jazz. (I'm not dissing the genre, but it's a different mindset) I can easily do most jobs with no ipad, no sequences, and no safety net, but I can offer more to my clients when I have those tools at my disposal. I've already started a sequenced song, had an electronics meltdown, and had to quickly shift gears and start a drum pattern to continue with manual bass and chords. No one was the wiser, but me. Being "in the moment" can be a lifesaver when you're on stage. If your face is buried in a book, or tablet, it's hard to stay connected. It's like Public Speaking 101 - glance at your notes, but always look AT your audience. It makes a huge difference.