Not very good in English, not sure if the translation from my native language will produce a meaning to you but here it is....

It depends on what you do:
1) You play an instrument (or music) FOR people, for a crowd.
2) You play an instrument TO people, to a crowd.

If you play FOR them, you have to accept and conform with their wants and needs, and provide music accordingly. (Think of the Blues Brothers playing "Rawhide" all night in the movie)

If you play TO them, you are playing for yourself, and if they like what they hear, then good for them, if they don't like it, you don't care after all. (have no example, Miles Davies late years maybe?)

It depends on what you want to do, and if it pays enough to "feed you and your family" which comes in the equation if you get paid to do either of the above.

There is actually no wrong or right in my opinion. Seems more like a balance between these two.