Thank you for bringing your talents to an Open Mic Night – they doesn’t exist without YOU!
Got questions about Open Mic? Are you a performer with specific needs or questions? Or a venue considering having an Open Mic Night? You can always contact me.
THE BASICS:
- Sets are 3 songs or 15 minutes, whichever is less
- All players signed up on the list by 5:45 (or 15 minutes before the start of performances) will be entered into the “name lottery”.
- The order of performers will then be chosen at random by this lottery system.
- People signing up after the lottery will be added to the end of the list.
- There are 12 performance slots for a 3-hour open mic night.
- Additional players beyond the 12 will go on the “alternate” list.
- If someone on the main list drops out or leaves, we go straight to the alternates to fill that spot. No waiting!
- If there is extra time at the end of the night (and a short list of alternates remain), we will get the alternates on stage, too.
- Alternates who do not get the chance to play can choose any spot they want at the next open mic for a guaranteed 3-song set. (Next week only, please – I can’t hold spots longer than the following week).
- Please see the “SOMETHING NEW” section below for other ways to get stage time, even if you’re on the alternate list!
ETIQUETTE:
- You must be present to sign up (except last-week’s alternate carryovers). I can’t put you in the lottery if you’re not present.
- If you play as a group, please sign up as a group. Don’t try to “cheat the system” with your duo or trio by signing up as individuals.
- Be tuned-up and ready to play when it’s your turn. Check the battery in your instrument too!
- Please adhere to the 15-minute time limit. Long songs, storytelling, and elaborate instrument or pedal setups will cut into your time and might limit you to 2 songs.
- Please adhere to the 3-song limit (even if it’s under 15 minutes).
- Please keep your performances family-friendly for language, content, etc.
- Eat something. Have a drink or two. Tip your servers!
SOMETHING NEW:
- We love when you jam with and accompany your friends on-stage. But in an effort to keep things fair and avoid anyone seeming to “dominate” the stage for a long time, we’re going to try something new: A limit of 5 song appearances per player.
- This means you can sign up for a 3-song slot and accompany friend(s) for 2 additional songs.
- Alternatively, you can not sign up on the list, and only accompany others for their sets, but still adhere to this 5-song limit.
- With this system, just because you didn’t “make the main list” doesn’t mean you can’t play! If you get stuck on the alternate list, you can still hang around and accompany others for up to 5 songs.
- I’m hoping this makes things look and feel fairer, especially to newcomers and first-time players. It may also help to keep more slots open on the main list if some players opt to be an “accompanist only” for the evening.
ADDITIONAL INFO & SUGGESTIONS:
- It’s perfectly fine to bring your own standard microphone. If you have anything other than a typical XLR mic cable setup, please let me know ahead of time so I can make sure your mic is compatible.
- Keyboard players are welcome, however at this time you’ll need to bring your own keyboard and stand. I’m happy to set it up on stage before the night begins, or you can quickly bring it up just for your set.
- Keep guitar pedals and pedalboards simple to reduce setup time. If your setup is elaborate and takes several minutes to set up (and tear down again), this cuts into your performance time and you might only get to play two songs, etc.
- I cannot mix you effectively if you bring your own guitar amp or speaker, so please be prepared to plug directly into my mixer (1/4″ or XLR connection). I’ll make you sound good, I promise!
- Of course, if you insist on bringing your own (small!) amplifier, I will do my best to get you dialed-in.
- Wireless systems are notoriously unreliable in an open mic setting. I highly advise against bringing your own wireless headset mics, wireless monitors, or wireless instrument systems. Please try to just plug in with traditional cables so I can make you sound your best!
- Do you want to use backing or karaoke tracks? No problem! Please put them on your phone (or other Bluetooth-capable device) and I can get you paired up to my system.
- If you have special requirements for sound or setup, please speak to me before your set time. Most reasonable requests can be accommodated.
- We do have limited time and space, and cannot accommodate every scenario. This is an Open Mic, not an “open jam”. We can’t set up full bands, full drum kits, large guitar amps, etc.
- If you have questions, you can always contact me ahead of time.
We look forward to seeing and hearing you at Open Mic!