I’m always amazed at these concerts where these crowds go nuts for some guy pushing a button, as if they are pulling off some kind of epic guitar solo.
I do electronic music as a hobby (just for myself) and you should see the holy wars on the music boards over that statement.
Personally I’m with you. The fame and money an EDM DJ gets is insane. But there are willing to throw away $500 or more on a ticket. Ususlly from Dad or a trust fund.
That said, It evolved into being because Live bands are costly. The gear for DJs is also, but one man and his stuff were easier AND CHEAPER to deal with with for a club owner/promoter. Theat in turn led to Pay for play and music acts paying to play in venues. Rinse/repeat.
All the while there were less bands to go see and places to see them/more DJ gigs. You and I grew up in one world, modern kids/younger people grew up in another. They pay the prices and do the hero worship simply because they don’t KNOW anything else. It’s always been that way for them. We on the other hand had bar bands and the occasional real concert with live musicians. Today, even Nashville acts rely on a lot of playback to recreate the albums live.
TLDR...Moderns are used to it.