| You want to look like you're having fun. You want your audience to have fun, right? Fun is contagious. Look like you're having the most fun of everybody there!
Don't watch your hands. Hint: Your hands, fingers, etc. are where they've always been. They are where they've been all your life, & you should have a pretty good idea where they are by now without having to watch them. Your bass even more so. Other than vibrating strings (they're still anchored at the ends, so it's easy to predict where they'll be), nothing moves at all, so there should be no need to watch it. Practice playing without looking. If you sing, it'll make you a better singer; if you don't sing, it'll help you learn how. Even if you don't sing, & never will, it'll make you a better player. Especially when you learn new songs, learn them without looking & you'll never have to look away from what's important (see next paragraph).
Engage people. Look at them. Smile at them. Sing to somebody, if you're singing, not just off into space somewhere. Pick out a chick & dance with her, from the stage or even from the floor if you can get there without hurting yourself or something. Talk to people when there's an opportunity, such as between songs (set up the next song; don't talk about what you just played). Avoid cheesy stuff like, "Hello, <city name>!" Talk to everybody as if you're having a conversation with just one person. Don't overdo it; talk just enough to let everybody catch their breath, change instruments if necessary, etc.
Walk around a little & keep at least a foot moving pretty much all the time. Don't nail your shoes to the deck, but you don't really need to jump around like a monkey on crack, either. Step out from behind your mic/pedals. If you've got a solo or even a brief featured part, step out front/center. Don't turn your back on the audience unless it's part of the "show" (i.e. you're going to make a dramatic "entrance" by turning around). Use broad, exaggerated gestures & expressions so that they'll be visible from a distance. Subtlety is lost on a stage.
What you look like is as important as what you do on stage. Every genre has it's own "uniform". In general, you'll want to look at least a step more in the direction of that "look" than your average bar patron. Some genres are relatively easy, while others can be a challenge - especially those where a big part of the "image" is that you're supposed to extremely not care about your image! Choice of "accessories" can go a long way. You want to stand out from the crowd, even (especially) when you're off stage mingling between sets. There should be no doubt, when anybody sees you, that you're part of the band. At the same time, you don't want to be so over-the-top that you're unapproachable.
Don't be a prima donna or cop a "rock star" attitude - with anybody! Be (don't just act) genuinely grateful to everybody for letting you enjoy yourself! This applies to venue staff as well as audience. When you're off stage, make it a point to meet/mingle & talk to people. Act as if you care about them (it helps a lot if you really do) & don't just ask how they like the show, tell you how "great" you are, what songs they like, etc. Get them to tell you things about themselves, & use that information when you get back up on stage. Somebody having a birthday, girls' night out, in from out of town, etc.? Use that to get them engaged/involved in the show.
Back to the top: You want your audience to have fun. If they're having fun, it's a lot more fun for the band. It's also better business for the establishment, & they'll be more inclined to invite you back again to have some more fun. The best way to look like you've having a lot of fun is to actually have fun instead of trying to fake it. Don't take yourself too seriously as a "great musician"; think of yourself as an Entertainer, whose "job" is to make people happy (Holy cow!! People actually pay you to do this! How great is that?!). It's not about you; it's not even about the music. It's about them, the people who come out to drink, dance, socialize, meet people, & have a good time. You're just there to facilitate the process.
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"I spent ten years starving to death playing great music. I write a one-chord song about poontang and make a million dollars. What would YOU do?" - Ted Nugent
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