The past few years, I have noticed Open Mic events proliferating around Contra Costa County. This is not a new concept – I’ve attended these types of things numerous times over the years, but they seem to be growing in number and sophistication.
In the simplest form, Open Mic events are when some proprietor (coffee shops spring to mind) offers some corner of their establishment and lets musicians take turns playing there some afternoon, mostly for each other. No harm there – it’s a modest win-win. The proprietor sells more coffee, and musicians get to compare their skills with their peers, and many a good band has emerged from chance meetings like this.
This type of event allows small establishments who don’t really have an entertainment budget to feature live music, especially at times when business might otherwise be slow. The only real risk is on the part of the regular (or casual) patron who wanders in for a cup of coffee and may not find the whole circus very appealing.
Lately, however, I have seen venues step up their game when it comes to Open Mic events. With a little investment, it can go from cacophonous chaos to real entertainment – even when there’s no filtering of the performers. Add a stage, a sound system, and get someone to host the event, and it becomes a lot like karaoke with live musicians.
Yes, the talent level at these events is uneven – the “danger” is part of the fun. But it’s not fun to listen to someone caterwaul endlessly. So, the host’s job is to make sure each performer only does about 15 minutes, and keep the line of performers moving smoothly along. A tightly run event is more fun for the audience, and it’s easy to spend a couple of hours watching a parade of 15-minute performances – perfect for the modern short attention span!
There are some Open Mic events in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and Benicia that have become very popular, and not just among musicians. Typically about half the audiences are just there to listen. A host (sometimes a host band) handles the signups and keeps the line moving. Some of the events even charge a cover charge, and they do really well!
The events may have a “theme”. I host a (mostly) bluegrass jam once a month and the same venue has a jazz Open Mic and a blues Open Mic. All of these have a house band that can provide good backup for the performers and helps to provide some polish for some of the less-confident performers. The Open Mic events in Pleasant Hill and Benicia are open to all forms of music (generally preferring acoustic-based music), and all of these events attract a rich mix of newcomers and some very experienced, talented players trying out new lineups, instruments or songs.
All in all, it’s a very nurturing atmosphere and no two events are alike – expect a grab bag of experiences. Often there are some cringe-inducing moments, but these are balanced by beginners sounding better than they ever thought they could, and veteran musicians displaying their talents. And all of this comes in easy-to-digest quarter hour increments. It’s a great night out, whether you’re going to take your 15-minutes of fame or not…
