Well, last month, 40% of the record sales in France were made by a band that was created by a TV show (much like the Big Brother one). There are connoisseurs in Europe, but marketing and money is taking over. Jazz festivals are now becoming mainstream over here, and you don't see the same guys you used to see ten years ago... If the artist sells 100000 record, you know he's gonna be there.
You still have to look for underground artists to see someone really dedicated to his craft. But nowadays, festivals don't make artists, it's sales that make festivals programs...