What would make you want to buy a band's cd?

I am a solo artist writing material for a new album and went to an open mic night to play a few songs and listen to the musical climate of this small city. I was surprised to hear every act that got up to play was a complete Jack Johnson, John Mayer, white boy blues rip-off it was really mind-numbing. I do like both of those guys but it is out of control how everyone with an acoustic guitar now tries to emulate them. When I played my songs, which were a little more alt-country folk, but doesn't fit any current genre well, people seemed like they were waiting for me to play a blues scale and bust in to your body is wonderland... What kinds of things would interest you to see in a live act or coming out of the music industry today? Just trying to find out if originality is a lost cause