I just know people who say things similar to OP who lament that live music is dead but they never go out or do anything when you ask them to go.

Their anecdotal experience is more a reflection of their own preferences.

The venues in my suburban area have only grown over the past 10 years and new venues have opened.

With all due respect: you're commenting on a post of an article about the New Yorker about an entire book someone made about this phenomenon. Maybe the book is all anecdotes, but this isn't just your friend sitting around watching Netflix all day and wonder why everything is so boring. Clearly there's a larger societal issue.

I'm glad it works out for you, but you aren't society.

Was there ever really a time when people didn't sit at home for entertainment?

I think before radio, sitting around and reading a book was pretty normal. Back then a lot of people lived in places where visiting the neighbors was a lot harder than it is now.