That point is explicitly addressed in the post. Mainstream users listen more because mainstream users are gyms etc. that just let the top 40 run in shuffle 24/7.
[0] https://www.spotify.com/uk/legal/end-user-agreement/#s4 [1] http://www.ppluk.com/
And in most cases, it doesn't really come up until they're audited at least once, which might be never.
I happen to know because I was once in a band and the only money I really ever received for our recordings after the label advance was from ASCAP. Even years later I get a check every few months for a few bucks, whereas I get nothing from spotify or any other music service (even though my music is on there).
So at least for me, I appreciate ASCAP and BMI, even though it is not a lot of money, they are the only ones who have ever paid me royalties as an artist - and their service is free to all artists no matter how small.
It still happens though. I can't find any instances any stories being written about this condition being enforced.
[1] https://support.spotify.com/au/learn-more/faq/#!/article/pub...
http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Dunstable-nightclub-Ivory-L...
Most venues don't want to spend time carefully selecting music when they could instead be focusing on customer service.
I have a limited set of datapoints, but most if not all of the venues in which I encounter Spotify playlists are playing indie/alternative/etc. music, rather than "mainstream" music - places like my local coffeeshop and game shop, for example.
