Do you still see DJs or producers doing guest appearances at average sized clubs and bars anymore?

It feels like 10 to 15 years ago, every weekend there were visiting DJs from other countries or different parts of the world. Over the course of a year or two, it seemed like just about every major DJ would make an appearance. This was true in both Canada and Korea, my two homes.

Back then, clubs hosted special parties, and I even had the honor of opening for many of these DJs. And to be clear, I am not talking about C grade internationals on vacation that a bar promotes as a special guest. I mean established producers and recognized DJs who were actively touring.

Now it seems the only time international DJs show up is at big festivals or major events. Most smaller parties are just locals, which is fine, but it is a big shift.

I get that this is mostly about cost. A lot of the DJs who broke through years ago are now signed to agencies, and those agencies push fees that make it impossible for most bars or clubs to turn a profit. On top of that, the way people consume music has changed. Nobody really buys tracks anymore, they just stream on Spotify. Maybe people are not supporting artists and DJs the same way they used to. And then there is the loss of corporate sponsorship. Alcohol and cigarette companies can no longer back these events, which cut out a huge source of funding that once helped pay for guest DJs.

So is there a way to fix this? Are smaller club guest sets by touring DJs a thing of the past? Is clubbing and the touring DJ model basically finished outside of festivals?