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Open Mic Nights
Over the past few months I’ve been out and about round local venues following my mate Ian while he has tried various different ‘Open Mic’ nights, guitar in hand. For those of you who are unaware, an open mic night is where musicians (generally solo artists, but not always) are invited to play whatever they like in front of whoever happens to be there. They are usually held in pubs and clubs and are informal affairs – you just turn up and get your name down on the list, then wait for your go. The person who organises the evening generally plays the first song or two to warm the crowd up and introduce the event (or at least acts as compere), along with sorting sound levels out and so on. Depending on the number of people at the do, sometimes you get to play several songs, other times you play one song then it’s somebody else’s turn. People play their own songs, or do covers – sometimes badly – and generally a good night is had by all.
I decided to review a few of the venues we have been to for any musicians out there who may be keen to take to the stage and entertain the masses/make an arse out of themselves in front of their mates.
The following is a cobbled together compilation of the reviews I’ve done, followed by comments on each review from Ian, who has actually performed in these places, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed the evenings!
Jug & Barrell – MONDAYS
The Jug and Barrell is in Stanningley, Leeds and generally has a lot of student types in the crowd – this lot appreciates comedy acts. They like a contemporary cover or two as well. The stage area is in the middle of the pub with normal pub life carrying on respectfully around the outskirts. Acts are assisted by a decent PA system (something like a Peavey ‘Escort’, if I remember correctly – a nice piece of kit that folds out of a travelling case) which ensures a good level of sound. It has been a fairly quiet night when I have been, and performers have been able to play more than one song as a result.
RATING: 7/10
IAN: The thing about this place is that I expected to be a flop. It’s an ordinary pub, with ordinary people, rather than a crowd expecting performers. Yet the total opposite applied for my sort of stuff.
MANAGER: Yeah, you went down well.
I: Whereas in other places where I expected certain lines to get a laugh I was met with a blank look. There seems to be a fervour about the place – M: Oo, good word
I: – Or is it just that I was in the right place at the right time? This particular crowd appear to appreciate originality and comedy. They don’t really go for covers.
M: That’s true, the covers guys can get treated as in-betweenies.
Bar 1 Twenty – TUESDAYS
In possession of a real late licence; (they were talking of staying open until 6:30am), Bar 1 Twenty is over in Huddersfield. When we went we were treated to a real high calibre of musicianship (along with a couple of turkeys); some of the guitar work on show was stunning. Spectators are treated to comfy leather settees in a nice dark area around a decent stage. I have my reserves about the bar service – the Guinness was fizzy (!), the lager was shandy and the Newckie was warm – however, they may just have been having a bad night. The atmosphere was spot on, although they did get a bit militant with the ‘shushing’ when I was there, probably because there was someone in the crowd who did not get the message about shutting up when somebody is trying to perform. Shame on you! Keep your trap shut next time.
RATING: 9/10
I: What a fantastic place – especially for the quiet musician.
M: Yeah.
I: When a quiet guy comes on and plays quiet you can almost hear a plectrum drop. Have you mentioned the cheesy disco?
M: I’ve just read out my review to you!
I: Anyway, around 12:30 when everyone’s chilled out on their couches they get the disco going to gee folk up a bit and get them going into the early hours. Unfortunately, I only got to play one song ‘cause there were so many musicians.
M: Yes, they were still coming in with their guitars at half eleven, weren’t they!
I: I didn’t feel I got a right good reception there…my stuff might have been a bit basic. M: You think you need to play something more esoteric there?
I: Yeah, summat like that, they might appreciate it more.
- Open Mic Nights
- Written by: The Manager
- Published on: 22 Feb 2006
- Comments: 0
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Add to favouritesStubbing Wharf – WEDNESDAYS
This is the venue for musos who appreciate a real mix of different styles, instruments and artists. It is based upstairs at the Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge (which can be a cold room in winter – wrap up warm) and is a very popular night. I would advise that you turn up early for this one. It usually kicks off around 9:00. There is no sound system or stage, just tables facing a stage area and a spotlight pointing down at the acts. I found this an interesting open mic night in that generally the whole audience are quiet while people play; they are there to see the acts and there is no bar upstairs to distract them. Plus, as I said before, the place is full of musicians, who are guaranteed to be sympathetic to fellow musicians, aren’t they? Folk tend to do their moving around in between songs out of respect, and it’s not unusual for somebody to join in with a harmony, or to see someone else with their eyes closed, appreciating a song. However, don’t get me wrong, it’s not for ponces – there are many types of acts that appear there, and some have been quite amusing while I’ve been there. The fact that the crowd is quiet could be down to the lack of a PA system also; this is an acoustic venue.
RATING: 8/10
I: Stubbing Wharf is ideal for beginners, first timers etc.
M: Why?
I: A lot of first timers get up and try naïve, rough stuff, whereas at Bar 1 Twenty they’d be wanting more. 1 Twenty is more for specialists.
M: So it’s okay to cock up at the Stubbing Wharf?
I: Yeah. And the lighting is such that as a performer you can see everyone. When you do my sort of stuff that involves reacting off an audience, that’s ideal.
M: That helps keep it quiet – you can’t hide in the darkness and talk!
The Grove – WEDNESDAYS
The Open Mic session at The Grove is well established; from what I gather it has been going for a long time now and has a regular following. As a result, it gets packed out – I would advise that you turn up early to guarantee a seat (before 9:00). The Grove itself is most difficult to locate, it seems to have been surrounded on all sides by tall buildings, fast roads and cranes – so if you don’t know where you are going, you’ve got a job on trying to find it. The stage is a raised area in the corner of a long dark room and it is an acoustic venue, so you will need to yell for the folks at the back to hear you. They are most enthusiastic, however, and will cheer anyone – whether they can hear them or not.
RATING: 6/10
M: What do you reckon to The Grove, then?
I: It’s busier than what you’ve said. It’s extremely busy; there’s folk crowding out the door and standing on top of each other to get a view. So if you want a seat, you need to get there 8ish. And the main thing about the place, more than any other, is that there’s more of a traditional bias – although some people do play contemporary music.
M: Anything else about The Grove?
I: It’s a b*stard to find!
The Puzzle – THURSDAYS
The Puzzle is a small pub in Sowerby Bridge with quite a reputation. Unfortunately, it is not one of the best ‘open mic’ night venues I have attended. Despite the calibre of the musicians taking part, a poor PA system often lets the perfomers down; during the first couple of artists it is not uncommon for more than one guy to be crouching in front of them – fiddling with the settings on the amp, trying to adjust the treble, boosting the guitar sound and so on. It is hard for acts to play here as it is, they don’t need this added distraction. It distracts the audience too. Once the Puzzle gets packed it is hard for people to move, and at the back of the room if folk start talking it can spoil the night a bit for other audience members there to see the acts. The place has character in abundance, however the sound lets it down – if it were louder and clearer, the audience would have no choice but to listen. I suppose this is all part of the Puzzle’s charm, and if as a performer you can get the crowd behind you here, then you are on your way.
RATING: 6/10
M: Fair approximation, then?
I: Yeah. The crowd are an appreciative lot. Fortunately or unfortunately, from a player’s point of view the spotlights are so bright you find you’re playing to the six people in front of you – the only ones you can see! I concur about the P.A. – it’s sh*te!
On his journey to ‘push the boundaries of poor taste’ as one compere put it, Ian will no doubt be trying out further venues. I intend to follow him and submit more reviews for these places as we do them; expect further updates to the reviews as and when this happens. We’re also toying with the idea of setting up our own ‘Open Mic’ session somehow, somewhere. I’ll try and persuade Kev to plug this on The Beat Surrender if we ever manage to get this off the ground.
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