After attending quite some festivals it is clear for me, that open-mics are one of my favorite, if not the favorite part of festivals. And here’s why:
The People
Open-mics are a community-affair. It’s usually the people you’ve know for years, either in person or online that hit the stage. There’s lots of love from the audience for everyone brave enough to actually do it. This mix of friends, artists and listeners is a melting pot of conversions going to happen.
The Songs
From new interpretations of evergreens to songs you’ve never heard before and can’t get out of your head for the next days (or weeks) – open-mics got it all. You might not always recognize the song being played but that’s part of the reason why I love it so much. And the participants often venture into songs that not even the seasoned artists on main stage interpret.
The Craziness
Weird outfits, out of tune ukes and singers, people who have no idea how their pick-up works and fancy ukulele embellishments – whatever happens, happens. And the worst that comes out of this craziness, is a good story people will tell each other for the years to come.
The Diversity and Inclusion
And all of this craziness is really just a manifestation of something inherently to the ukulele-community – diversity and inclusion. There is room for everything and everyone. Come as you are. And that’s what makes open-mics so special to me.
xoxo Nikky
Here are the links to all four parts of this series:
Part 1 – Open Mic – A love story
Part 2 – Do’s and Don’ts for organizers
I love this! And I love that you are sharing so much about your experience. I used to go to my local open mics all the time, it’s such a great way to practice but also connect with other musicians. I know that before I gathered the guts to go to the first one, I was frantically searching online for other people’s experience to reassure myself and get an idea of what it would be like. I’m sure this will help some people ♥
I’m so out of practice nowadays and struggling to find the mental strength to build my skills back up. One of my goals for this month is to go to an open mic again, just to feel that magic of performing and in the hopes of hearing some interesting originals (or covers!).
Thanks so much. I totally feel you – that’s why I share my musical journey in hopes that it will encourage and help someone out there 💕
You’re doing a great job at it!