I have no strong opinions on it. Personally I have always preferred owning a physical product so I'm not a huge fan of downloading anyway. When I have done it I have used Itunes and more recently Amazon downloads. If I want to hear a track I don't wish to buy I use Spotify if it is not on YouTube. At the risk of sounding like my Dad, I honestly wouldn't know how to illegally download any music
Back in the day I taped a few songs / albums (I have a semi ironic "Home Taping is Killing Music" sticker on my bass case) but again I've always liked to own the originals. The record industry must love me!
[quote name='chaypup' post='1070003' date='Dec 27 2010, 11:19 AM']As the OP says, how do they know which songs are being played by cover bands? I've never been asked for a set list.[/quote]
I think it depends on the venue. We have been asked at a few of the bigger venues we play to fill out PRS forms but generally it doesn't happen or get properly monitored. I don't think it is economical to do every single pub band at every pub gig.