Exactly. It’s not as easy as saying “oh look, people want to see us” as it is bureaucratic red tape that a festival has to adhere to.
Also, just because people want to see you perform doesn’t mean a venue does. Some venues will only take certain artists, others lack the space, all while more and more smaller to medium sized venues are closing.
Music as a business is evolving to just digital content and marketing. It’s sad.