But does picking easier books make the talk feel shallow?

In my town, the council tried to hide a pollution report last year. It's part of a pattern where people in charge do sketchy stuff and think they won't get caught. @mary_brown is spot on for pointing this out since it's everywhere now.

Remember when I went for the flashy headliner last year? Paid through the nose, and they showed up late, half the set was playback. Felt like a total scam, and the crowd could tell. Your call to pick the newer group is smart because they actually care about the show. Might not sell out, but everyone leaves happy, and that word of mouth is gold. Plus, you sleep better at night, which is worth more than a few extra bucks.