[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1437563594' post='2827031']
it's possible to entertain a room full of people, and please a landlord, without playing the same old covers
[/quote]
You'd think/hope so, wouldn't you.
A few years ago I was gigging a guitarist's new album of original songs. On the first gig and after a reasonably successful first set he came back stage and said, We're playing the usual set next. They've been asking for some numbers they know!
Like it or not, audiences do not think like musicians. That's why the list of the most popular songs is made up the way it is.
I play popular and obscure songs, originals and covers and we get compliments because we don't always play the obvious songs, but there is no difference between any of these songs if the audience doesn't like or react to what you are playing.