I would say the most active zones are Crushbone/Unrest and East commons/Oasis for those levels.
I did Crushbone for the entirety of 5-20 (can do some Orc Hill outside CB from 5-8 or so). You can save up the crushbone belts and shoulderpads which turn in for EXP in Kaladim and usually sell them for ~2pp per belt and ~3-5pp per shoulderpad. I was able to sell enough backpacks full to make like 700 plat by lvl 20 and buy some gear in EC. The EC/Oasis route has similar item drops for EXP quests that people will buy off you.
Also this server is several years old and a lot of people have all sorts of gear. Not uncommon that someone will through you a couple newb items for free to help you on your way (more common in EC since the tunnel is there with people buying/selling).
My favorite part in a bard's life is at lvl 15 when you get the AoE mez song. Literally everything in Curshbone is under the level cap. Get a few peeps go into the Throne room, play AoE mez on repeat and slay the orcs one at a time for easy exp all the way to 20.
I don't use custom UIs or additional hotbars so hopefully someone else can provide some tips on those Qs.
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