Diki.....the heads down staring at the sheet Constantly alienating yourself from the audience is most annoying to watch....playing music is a Battery between the Musician & the Audience which makes it all click. Intermittent downward glances to make changes are expected but there is a way to keep the crowd involved in the mix.....no matter what kind of gig it is.
Let someone video tape your gig & learn from what you see & hear.