What genre of music were you playing? (Does sound very interesting)
I think the future of experimentation is possibley less in sound & will probley be more in the actual club 'experience' & visuals tbh. As you say, most of the kit in clubs is ussually knackered & may hold back experimentation. A few times I've played out I've had to hold back my mixing style a bit due to crappy mixers & badley set up soundsystems.
A lot of lasers & lighting rigs work with mics so you can get the odd tune that makes some mad effects.