Open mic nights

[Deleted]

As ordered by MM, here's a thread about open mics.
I thought I'd start by saying they are not always a good thing - its playing for free still, but then again how do you start getting experience without them?
OK. The best open mic round my parts is at the Iron Road in Evesham. The owner is a great bloke, in business too. The venue has most of the 'almost top' blues / rock acts playing (think Popa Chubby as opposed to Clapton). If the open mic act is good enough, they get to support one of these acts. I managed to get a support with Mike Vernon and Jo Harman. Jack Blackman got a support with Erja Lyytinenn. Even Gwyn Ashton got a support with Alvin Youngblood Hart (although he didnt have to do the open mic...). Always a great crowd, and with a fantastic (and loud) PA and stage.
TT
edit - its usually on a mid month tuesday.

[stevie2sticks]

In order to help get over my absolute fear of playing and singing in public, this year I have played at an Open Mic in a Pub and next year I'll try more, particularly those where the night aims to raise money for charity.

I have played 3/4 times in a sing round at a Pub which was fun. (I have also Busked outside M&S in Douglas IOM at TT Races and played as part of a Band at a couple of Charity Events and at a Residential Complex for retired folk).

For me it's a good development opportunity on my Blues journey.

I know Open Mics are about pubs selling drinks & profits rather than being a music venue. BUT professional musicians need to earn a living and venues should support these.

[obrienp]

I mainly go to folk club sing a-rounds. There seem to be loads of folk clubs in Norfolk: if I had the time and inclination I could just about go to one every night of the week. Pros: acoustic blues is tolerated or even welcomed, the are normally very supportive (mistakes are ignored/not noticed), they are acoustic, they are normally held in a pub, no intimidating stage or mics and you get to perform to an audience. Cons: you only get 2 or 3 songs depending on how many performers turn up, you do one song at a time and then have to wait for your turn to come round again, you can't warm up before playing, you don't get any practice using a pa or being on stage.

I also go along to monthly blues jams held by a local blues society, when I am not travelling for work. These are full electric band sessions held in a pub. They attract quite an audience of non-players. They are great for experience with mics, pa, amps, etc, in front of a less forgiving audience. I also get to play with different musicians. Downside is that it is electric, Chicago style standard 12 bar, so you don't get to try the latest acoustic fingerstyle piece you have been learning.

I have also started playing at village fetes (fate worse than death for the innocent bystanders), local cafes, pubs, etc when I can get a gig, which is pretty rare at the moment. I lost my place in a local band that played a few local festivals, as well as pubs but fingers-crossed a new one is forming.

I have also done a couple of spots on a local internet radio folk session.

A further trick I have learnt is to have a guitar in the boot when I go to see people I know playing at pubs, cafes, etc. Sometimes I can get to sit-in for a couple of numbers.

All of this is helping me get over the stage nerves but very slowly. Certain audiences still completely freak me: like playing in front of better players at Pocklington!

Slide on,
Pat

[Deleted]

We "invited" ourselves to play at the local telethon... which is this evening! Gak! It's the first real show with the new group, which is just me and a drummer, so ... talk about nerves!

I swear, I never got stage fright when I was young, I just went on, did my thing. But since I started performing again in the last few years, the stress just overtakes me sometimes.

Got a nice big stage though, and a good sound system. Here's hoping!

[obrienp]

Good luck mickeyz! I am sure it will go fine :-)

[bluesshow]

Golden Lion Acoustic Open Mic Facebook PageI run an Open Mic in Barnard Castle at The Golden Lion, every Wednesday from 8.30pm until the end. I setup and run the small but quality HK PA, kick off with a few tunes then everybody gets a turn, usually in order of arrival. Everybody gets 3 songs first time round, and the same again depending on how many player there are - sometimes players get 3 or 4 turns. There is also the opportunity to have other musicians play with you if you want - i have accompanied people, at their request, on guitar, bass, harmonica and harmony vocals, and other regular players are happy to assist when required or requested.

All players get a free drink - often more than one.
The Golden Lion is the oldest pub in Barnard Castle and the only one with a Cask Marque for their real ale, which may be important to some folks!
Recent visitors have included Gerry Cooper of this parish, and Stewart Cumberpatch, whom some of you may know

The pub does have infrequent Friday or Saturday night gigs, ad the Open Mic nights are a good place to be seen for one of those gigs.

I see Open Mics as a great way for inexperienced musicians to get some experience playing through a PA and in front of an audience (although sometimes at The Golden Lion the musicians outnumber the audience!)
I use it too when i want to audition songs that I am considering putting in my own sets, and we have some younger folks who come either before or after their band is touring.
And yes, you are playing for free, but hopefully in a supportive environment, with other musicians who will be interested in what you are ding.

And yes, I get paid to run the Open Mic - it forms part of my regular income!

Golden Lion Facebook page

[Pickers Ditch]

I may have to move house reading all of the above.
Where I live in N.E.Essex there are some jam nights and open mics.
The jam nights seem to be very cliquey, full off widdley, widdley SRV/Bonamassa clones who go on for longer than I do in a post on here.
The folky acoustic ones seem to attract tortured singer / song writers with their four chord specials or finger in the ear purists who sing in some nasally oooaar accent what I can't understand, particularly as their normal speaking voices are pure middle class BBC.
However I did get conned into taking my Dano 59 and slide to one a year or so ago and was asked to join in with the house band.
We had a good time doing "Who Do You Love?", "It Hoits Me Too" and a poor attempt at "Statesboro' Blues". It was fun and I was asked back the following month.
Great I thought, so up comes my turn and I'm selected for the line up of Southern Rock Widdlers who only want to play "Sweet Home Alabama" at such a high volume that I couldn't hear m'self through my Matamp 15W Combo, I only played a one chorus solo, and my ears were shot for days afterwards.
So, my view is simple, if on our travels I happen to be around any of the recommended venues on here at the right time, and I happen to have a guitar with me, I will ask to have a shot.......but don't expect anything complicated or good, please.
Best of luck to you all......

[obrienp]

Wish Barnard Castle was near me!! Sounds great.

[Michael Messer]

This is a great thread.

Let's hear more about where forum members play. Maybe it will get some of us meeting up to hear each other and play together.

(Please remember the rules of this forum > No advertising! ....so only open mic nights, sing-arounds, floor spots ....etc).

Shine On
Michael

[Dessery]

There is a good acoustic blues open mic night here in Southampton on the last Tuesday of every month at the platform tavern run by Bob Long, I believe possibly an ex student of Mr Messer? (But I may of made that up) it's been a long time since I've made it down there now though but I've played there a couple of times, once with a group of friends and once solo. Friendly crowd, been well received both times.

My repertoire is somewhat small though so although I'd love to do it more, I don't want to keep going and playing the same songs!!

As others have commented though, it's great practice to get used to playing in front of an audience. I've gigged a fair amount as a drummer and it never affects me but solo and singing is a completely different ball game!!

All the best
David

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2015 16:36:20 GMT obrienp said:

Good luck mickeyz! I am sure it will go fine :-)

Well, it was... interesting. Playing in front of French people is always a challenge. But it went fine (considering the drive channel on my amp blew out!).

There's a venue nearby that hosts open mike nights from time to time, I'm going to talk to the drummer about dropping in to play a few of our songs. You never know, we might find the bass player of our dreams.

[Deleted]

Bob Jones no longer runs the cellar bar blues night - he's transferred it to the Cap n Gown in the Tything, Worcester on 2nd thursday of the month. High quality acts (e.g. jack blackman) as well as locals. I might get a slot in january.
Another good open mic is at the Chestnut Inn in Lowesmoor, Worcester. Lots of solo / blues performers - but the list is nearly always full as soon as the doors open.
Acoustheque in Stratford-upon-Avon is sort of open mic. Three players get a pre-booked slot for 40 mins. And get the tips...
Only ever played one jam night - fail to see the point of them.
TT

[bluesshow]

One of many good things about Barnard castle is it is halfway between almost anywhere and almost anywhere else - so a great place for an overnight stop to break up your long journey north or south!

[stevie2sticks]

Bluesshow :- I think I'll have a detour in mid April from my visit to Bradford/Shipley and stay Bernard Castle on the Wednesday.

Are there any good hotels you might recommend?

Regards
Steve

[bluesshow]

will ask my friends next Wednesday and get back to you