Live bands are faring much better around here now than they did a few years ago. The Mexican Restaurant where I played some a few years ago, has added large covered "patios" to make room for bands. At three locations they have bands every weekend and sometimes on week nights.
The five casinos, between nationally known acts, also hire local bands several nights a week. I previously played at two of them but it meant moving in and out all the time and I'm happy doing what I do, and where I do it!
Several of the smaller clubs have finally realize that karaoke wasn't doing them much good and have gone to bands sometimes. Also the VFWs and American Legions and the animal clubs all have weekend bands.
The problem with such bands is that the pay in many of the places doesn't amount to much when you divide it four or five ways. The casinos are the exception as they pay pretty well.
The one and two man acts are not so popular these days. My theory on that is that they all sound pretty much alike, using midi or CDG tracks and playing guitar along with them in most cases.
Gary calls them "have guitar will travel" guys. Don't get me wrong, several of them are really good, and are more talented than I am.
The advantage that larger bands have is that there is interaction between band members and that seems to get the audience involved more. Also, if there are five band members, each of them has a following, even if it is family and friends, and they have a built-in crowd that sometimes follows them around.
Much of this does not apply where I work. It is quite expensive to go there and eat or drink, so that cuts down on the family members and friends who will attend. I have developed a number of customers who CAN afford to come pretty often, but also my job is more to entertain the ones who are already there. If they have to wait awhile for their meal, at least they can listen to me and dance or laugh.
As far as I know I am the only one in the whole area, half a million people, who still uses an arranger. DickieT does as well, but he mostly used it either as a karaoke player or with his four-piece band. And he only works twice a month these days, as his health is not good and he prefers to do other things for pleasure.
Sorry to ramble again and I don't know if these things are just relevant to this area, or might be more universal.