It's hard to know how much the many music venues on Whidbey contribute to the businesses where they perform.
In the 15 years since I moved to the Island, I have seen a growing number of places where you can go to hear a variety of music, most often performed by local musicians.
I just discovered a website that will help you see where you can go to hear music on the island: https://whidbeyisland.us/live-music-venues-on-whidbey-island/
The site lists the major venues (although I feel like there are more, especially in the summer), our local orchestras, music festivals, what's happening at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), and the major music festivals.
If you feel like we are surrounded by music on Whidbey, it's because we are.
(Note: Just learned that WICA has a new email address: info@wicaonline.org)