A lot of people overlook this aspect of the hiring process.
Yes, you can get a job without references - but you won't get a good one.
Employers that insist on references are concerned about "douchebag control" - overconfident applicants who think they shit marble. Hiring such people ensures a miserable work environment, because they have little or no humility.
Before the Internet era, one could get away with listing "personal" references on applications, if it was early in your career and you had no significant work experience.
That is all over with.
Now, employers demand references only from previous supervisors - they want to ensure that you are a good subordinate, are bondable, and get along well with others.