There's also the wedding band business, and people hire live musicians for parties all the time.

It's a supply and demand thing. There are so many musicians, the idea that they all can make a living doing it is simply not realistic. Only a very few will, regardless of whether they make a few pennies off of streaming or not. Having the government pay them through taxes is a terrible idea.

I know many people who are musicians. It's always a side gig.

I know artists, too. No money to be made there, either. Maybe a few pennies at the local arts&crafts fair.