As one of the guilty parties, I should throw in my tuppence worth, I suppose. If I'm singing a ballad, I'll probably have my eyes closed; if it's something lighter, or a chorus song, then I sing with my eyes open. It's all very well talking about communicating with the audience, but I've always been a nervous performer (although less so if I'm out singing regularly, which just isn't happening at the moment), and I often have to close my eyes, even in a song where I normally would have them open, because I'm struggling to concentrate. Which is more important - seeing my eyes or hearing the right words?
Someone above commented on audiences having their eyes closed, and I have often noticed this when I'm singing - and no, they haven't fallen asleep! There's no intention of rudeness on my part. I'm just trying to perform the song as well as I can. It's not about me; it's about the song, and it's the song that should be communicating with the audience. This ain't showbiz.
John Kelly.