If it's a dance .... the dancers have top priority. If it's a bar/social setting, then the ones who take the time to communicate with you are the top dog.
Just keep playing ... glance back and forth between the audience and the individual(smiling at both) and see what's on their mind. Usually, they just want to ask for a request, or watch your hands.
(high praise, or skeptisism ... hmmmmm ?)

If people bug you ..... this ain't the business for you. I know, because I've been sort of "out of my game" the last year (due to multiple fractures to the heart) and I have less patience for the crowd then I used to. I know how I WANT to react, but sometimes, I stay withdrawn and out of sorts as a protection device.

Bottom line is: the people is why we get paid.
Talk to 'em,
shmooze 'em,
dance 'em ... whatever they need.
And in between .... you can play music.