I think 'the real me' must play different gigs to me, too. Places I play, being able to handle noise, drunks, would-be performers, bar-room wits and just plain rude people is essential. The reason; it's on behalf of the people who actually come to listen and be entertained. One session I play in, the quality of repartee with the non-players in the pub is at least as important as the music; and the regulars come and listen to that, too. On one famous occasion a drunk approached the musicians and demanded a Dylan song; he wouldn't go away, so the six of us spontaneously played a Dylan song; six different ones, all at once. The pub audience collapsed with laughter, and the drunk learned a lesson. Scary thing was, it still sounded like a Dylan song...
Tim from Bit on the Side