"I can tell how I'm doing, and I can tell if the crowd is particularly dead"

This quote by Robyn Hitchcock speaks with the significance of having the ability to read a crowd and understand how one's performance is being gotten. It suggests that the performer is able to assess their own efficiency and assess the reaction of the audience. This is an important ability for any performer, as it enables them to change their efficiency accordingly. For example, if the crowd is especially dead, the performer can adjust their performance to try to engage the audience more. This might involve changing the pace of the music, or even talking to the audience to attempt to get them more included. Eventually, this quote speaks with the value of being able to check out a crowd and understand how one's performance is being received.