Well, I think part of the problem is also the people who book shows. A lot of times you end up with 2 or 3 shows the same night, a touring bands show (not really flexible with the date) and then 2 locals show, who really doesn't need to be happening the same night. Even if it's not the same style there's always cross draw.
For example, on the 25 of June, there was 4 shows in Providence:
Forca Macabra/Voetsek (on tour) at AS220 - 128 people paid
Insted/Mental/Verse (I don't know if tour or not) - 160 or so paid
Red Chord / and others (on tour) at the Green Room - 120 or so paid
Throne Of Hate and some others at Safari Lounge - 30 people or so.

It looks like it doesn't cross draw, well it seriously did. The Forca Macabra show would have sold out. And the Red Chord show would have too, but that was mostly 3 shows with touring bands.