By Chibueze Oyo
For a long time, all an artist ever needed is a stage to showcase their musical talent to the masses. Open mic nights, traditionally, have been a pivotal anchor within the live music community, providing new musical artists with what sometimes is their first taste of an actual performance.
In theory, the idea of an open mic night for an upcoming artist sounds great. Most hope it to be a night packed with keen music listeners curious to hear the latest sounds from underground artists throughout the community, boasting an array of bold drinkers gathered in a tight knit bar or venue.
Whilst they can be great, they’re not always. Here, a few artists give their advice on some of the best practices during an open mic evening.
A unique platform
Open mic nights offer a unique platform for aspiring musicians to share their artistry, gain exposure, and connect with fellow creatives. According to Open mic finder, a platform which lets you search for open mic nights across the country, Greater London has been the most popular county for open mic events in recent times.
When doing anything for the first time, most people are stricken with nerves. Some things tend to come to us naturally, other things definitely need some first-hand experience. An open mic night is one of those things where experience plays a huge role into your development as an artist.
For the majority, an open mic night is the first chance an underground artist gets to showcase their talent to a wider audience than just their friends and family, so getting things right be becomes important. Performing during an open mic night as a new artist requires more than just talent; it demands an understanding of the environment and a prepared mindset.
Shaking off nerves
Saidou, 18, is an upcoming music artist from North London who goes by the name “Saidou the kid”. He recently performed at an open mic event in East London called Metre Squared. He recalls the nerves that he had to shake off when he first performed at the event.
“My first performance I thought everything would go perfect. I’d never performed at an open mic before, but I was extremely confident because naturally that’s just how I am,” he said.
“I got to the venue about 10 minutes before I was scheduled to perform and that’s where I made my first mistake. Most experienced artists know that without rehearsals or mic check you’re pretty much leaving your performance up to chance. When I eventually did get on the stage to perform and I was struck by a wave of nervousness, as if I was back in school trialing for the Christmas nativity play.”
Saidou explained that coming to an open mic night “is more than just picking up the microphone and performing “. He said: “When you turn up at an open mic night, expect an atmosphere buzzing with anticipation and it’s your job to win over the crowd. It’s your job to be prepared, to get their early and practice your performance before you actually get up on stage. It’s important to give yourself the best opportunity to have a good performance. “
To make the most of your open mic experience, it’s essential to be well-prepared. Arriving early, like most things, tends to give you an edge and on open mic nights where in most cases it is first come first serve it is essential secure your spot on the performance list, as these events can attract a considerable number of artists.
Familiarise yourself with the house rules and guidelines, as each open mic night may have its own set of expectations and time limits for performances.
Saidou performing at Metre Squared earlier in April. Credit: Chibueze Oyo
Opportunity to network
Organisers of open mic nights have lived through various acts and performances. They’ve seen an abundance of acts come through, some of whom may have gone on to find greater opportunities across greener pastures.
Networking has always been a crucial aspect of open mic nights. Besides your performances, mingling is the most important aspect of the night. Engage in conversations with fellow artists, exchange experiences, and build connections within the local music scene.
These interactions can lead to collaborations, future gigs, and a supportive network of like-minded individuals. In most cases, the event organiser will be able to give you a rundown of the history of their events.
Malaika, 23, from Southwark, is the the co-founder of Spotlight first, a platform focused on creating events and performance opportunities for the new artists within the underground scene. She spoke about the importance of her platform and the endless opportunities that come when “you put yourself out there”.
Malaika hosts one of Spotlight First open mic nights. Credit: Chibueze Oyo
“We created Spotlight First as a way to ensure that all artists within the underground scenes are being heard. Independent artists typically don’t get the exposure they need as they’re just starting out, so creating this platform was our attempt of trying to create more noise and exposure around upcoming artists,” she said.
“It’s important to make a name for yourself firstly throughout your community and get your name ringing bells.”
She pointed out how Spotlight First have always tried to host evens events throughout different areas within London to create opportunities for creatives throughout the city to come together and perform and sometimes collaborate. These live music nights are packed with passionate artists and performers, all who share the same drive towards their creative talents. It provides the best place to mingle, network and sometimes even scope out the competition.
Malaika pointed out that they try and host as frequent as once a month but due to venue changes it isn’t always easy. “We would love to host as many events as we can, right now we’re doing about one a month and we are trying to get one more event going a month, but as we continuously change locations there are other external factors which disrupt the frequency of our nights.
“Growing up in Southwark means we tend to host a lot of our events in South London; our last two open mics have been in venues in Peckham. Two venues called Peckham levels and Peckham Audio.”
Spotlight First is a community-led music platform which hosts an array of live music events throughout different boroughs in London.
When it’s your turn to take the stage, embrace the moment with confidence. Deliver a polished performance by practicing your set beforehand, ensuring your instrument is in tune, and rehearsing your vocals. The audience appreciates professionalism, and a well-executed performance will leave a lasting impression.
Saidou performs some of his music at the second Squared metered event. Credit: Chibueze Oyo
Remember that open mic nights are not solely about showcasing your talent. They are also an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist. Be open to feedback and constructive criticism from the audience, fellow performers, and even the event organiser. Taking these insights into account can help you refine your skills and evolve as an artist.
For new artists, this can be a valuable stepping stone towards a career in music. These nights provide a supportive environment to test your material, gain stage experience, and develop your stage presence. Additionally, there is a chance to attract industry professionals, such as talent scouts or music venue owners, who may be searching for fresh talent to book for future gigs.
These nights can serve as a launchpad for emerging artists, offering a chance to showcase their music, connect with fellow musicians, and gain exposure. By being prepared, professional, and open to growth, attending open mic nights can be a rewarding experience for new artists on their musical journey.
So, grab your instrument, step onto the stage, and let your talent shine at the next open mic night near you.
Leave a Reply