I was talking to our drummer on the phone last night and we were discussing this very same subject, there are a few gigs started in our area (outdoors) and he was pretty sure the bands were playing for free, we were both of the same opinion that our band will not be following that path.
Exactly the same here, just heard these guys on Planet Rock this morning, new to me, reminds me of the US Southern Rock stuff I really like, Allmans etc.