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Has anyone ever performed at, or considered performing at, an open mic event?

For those who are in the dark, this is where an artist is given a 15-30 minute slot on stage to entertain whosoever has turned up. They are normally unpaid but often used for experience/practice usually by musicians, but the stage is normally open to any performer wether comedian, magician or poet.

(It's only fair to say that this is a loaded question as I organise a monthly acoustic open mic and considering trying to attract a different kind of performer...)

I regularly use Open Mic slots to rehearse effects in front of a 'blind' audience.

It's always worth checking them out beforehand, have a chat with the host - not all nights welcome non-musical acts.

Can you give me some details of your night Ace T? Am often in Manc and am looking to move there as soon as I'm able to, will want some new nights to attend.

We run an 'acoustic afternoon' on the first Sunday of each month from 4-8pm and in the past it has been solely musicians who perform, but would love to expand it to other areas.

It is in a pub, and get's a mixed crowd - sometimes busy, sometimes not so. Are you going to the Manchester meet on 1st Oct? I can tell you anything you want to know then.

(It is in the OL5 area too)

I find with open night spots some of the acts bring their own supporters. You are performing to a clique, and you struggle to win them over. I once thought they were good for breaking in new material, but now I think they are a waste of time. But others might have a different experience of them.

TonyB wrote:I find with open night spots some of the acts bring their own supporters. You are performing to a clique, and you struggle to win them over. I once thought they were good for breaking in new material, but now I think they are a waste of time. But others might have a different experience of them.

I've had the same experience as you - I performed for Jongleurs before, and found it very tough as the audience had come for comedy, not magic. You had to win them over twice as much as those who come for magic.

ACE T wrote:We run an 'acoustic afternoon' on the first Sunday of each month from 4-8pm and in the past it has been solely musicians who perform, but would love to expand it to other areas.

It is in a pub, and get's a mixed crowd - sometimes busy, sometimes not so. Are you going to the Manchester meet on 1st Oct? I can tell you anything you want to know then.

(It is in the OL5 area too)

Sounds good and yes I'll be around on the 1st!

Beardy wrote:

TonyB wrote:I find with open night spots some of the acts bring their own supporters. You are performing to a clique, and you struggle to win them over. I once thought they were good for breaking in new material, but now I think they are a waste of time. But others might have a different experience of them.

I've had the same experience as you - I performed for Jongleurs before, and found it very tough as the audience had come for comedy, not magic. You had to win them over twice as much as those who come for magic.

Very valid points which is why I'd always recommend going along to the events at least once purely as a spectator and have a word with the host, they'll have a good idea about how your act will go down and the type of crowd to expect.