Playing live is the end result and joy of all the pain of learning the instrument. The colossal amount of Queen's sovs i've invested ( and lost ) over the years also inspires me to keep on keeping on. Otherwise , why ?
I've done the band route like most and have run the gamut of members feeble excuses for missing rehearsals... my kid has an ingrowing eyelash , the mrs has changed her ladies night , there's a vowel in the month, full moon, blah de blah.
I've been in bands where the " the leader " was a tyrant and simply would not tolerate criticism, a lead guitarist who during a gig would play, without fail, at least one lead guitar part a semi-tone out. So predictable that we started calling him semi-tone.
So, right now, i'm in the process of setting up a duo with backing tracks. It means more hard work, as i have to play all the recorded drum backing tracks, and double up on guitar for some stuff. But at least my partner in crime is a good bloke, has rehearsal space at his enormous gaff, recording equipment , plays the main guitar and does vocals.
He also has a very understanding wife. Kids all grown and have foxtrot oscared out of the house.
It's a good place to be