Social Networking - Now How Does That Make Me Feel?

I'm wondering how important social networking sites are for musicians. A few years ago, if you were a band or a singer-songwriter, you had to have one if you wanted to build a fan base and get work. Is that still that case though? Are people still using sites such as myspace to find and support local artists?

Over the last two years, I have been gigging as a solo acoustic musician, completely without the use of a social networking platform. I would say that I've done OK. People have heard my music through frequent live performances and through the exchanges of emails and face to face conversations, I've managed to get a fairly regular stream of gigs.

However, at almost every gig I play, someone asks me if they can find my music on myspace.

So the question is, should I be setting up a myspace page to promote my latest musical project - 'Tapper'?

I can't help thinking that the only people using these sites are other bands and musicians, all screaming for attention. Yes that could open interesting doors in terms of networking and collaboration but the fan base is what's important. People listening to your music, telling their friends about you and coming to see your gigs. And can this be done, perhaps with a greater sense of style and authenticity, by simply bypassing the whole social networking world?