Open Mic Night Magic
Wednesday November 28, 2007
There is a lot of talk on this site about the importance of playing live to building up an audience for your band, but what if you have never played live before, and the prospect of taking to the stage has you quaking in your boots? There is a place where you can get some on-stage practice under your belt without braving the crowds at a big show - your local open mic night. Open mic nights sometimes get a little a bit of a bad rap, but not every open mic night is associated with earnest performances of poorly written pseudo-beat poetry. In fact, many towns have established open mic nights that are great places to catch the best up and coming local talent, and if you need to hone your stage act, these nights can be just the place to build up your comfort level on stage in a supportive environment. The crowds that turn up to see open mic nights are genuinely interested in hearing new music, and there also tends to be a good sense of community between the musicians taking part. Once you feel like you know how to own the stage, those same musicians you meet at open mic nights could be the contacts you need to get on your first concert bill.
Open mic nights aren't only great for new musicians. They also offer bands who are old hats at playing live a place to try out new songs and experiment a little bit with their sound. If you are trying to move your band out of your local scene, hitting up open mic nights in another town is a good way to get a foot in the door with the music scene in that area. All in, open mic nights offer you the chance to practice your live set and build your confidence - plus, they can be a lot of fun. If you have written off the open mic night as an option for your band, don't knock it until you've tried it.
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Open mic nights aren't only great for new musicians. They also offer bands who are old hats at playing live a place to try out new songs and experiment a little bit with their sound. If you are trying to move your band out of your local scene, hitting up open mic nights in another town is a good way to get a foot in the door with the music scene in that area. All in, open mic nights offer you the chance to practice your live set and build your confidence - plus, they can be a lot of fun. If you have written off the open mic night as an option for your band, don't knock it until you've tried it.
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I like going to Open Mics and Blues Jams because it’s the best way to perform in front of people.I like playing my original music because I beleave that if it wasn’t for original music,there wouldn’t be music period.I also beleave that Open Mic helps make a beginning musician a better musician.So if you want to know where the best Open Mics and Jams are all over the USA and Canada,go to http://www.openmikes.org.If you don’t find your favorite Open Mic or Jam listed,then add it yourself.