I agree, the bard has some fundamental flaws that make it a sidekick class, no player ever really wants to the only help other people then really contribute in combat (for instance) yes the bardic music does help but all in all it leaves players with a type casted role where all they do is the same thing.
first off: Bardic knowledge as it stands in Beta test, blows. in my games I kept it the way it was, but in addition allow them to use the knowledge skills untrained. albeit, failure provides no information and fail by 5 or more results misleading and/or wrong information.
allowing a bard to cast spells while using bardic music was a thought as well (but I would suggest imposing a spellcraft check. Or attacking while using bardic music requiring a perform check. (mind you it will be required that they use a proper performance, ie: dance or singing/oratory/chanting/etc.)
I'm not totally sure as to what more needs to be done, but I'd hate to hear another player say..."why would I want to play a bard, they suck."