How Do I Host An Open Mic?
Friday, June 13, 2008 at 01:28PM I am still on Orcas Island and will be doing a show tonight which I will talk about on Monday. Last year my show here was standing room only, so we’ve moved it to a larger space, but I still want that SRO thing, so I am doing all that I can.
We put up posters in all the places we could and, in an effort to get even more people to come to the show tonight, I even went out to do this open mic, which is what I want to talk about.
The show was to start at 8 pm, but the fellow running it decided to wait as the room had not filled up. First mistake. If you are the host and the shows are advertised to start at 8, then start them at 8. If there is no one there, then the folks that were hoping to see you will definitely be on time for the next show.
Last night the host wanted to do a set before the open mic, so he waited until he thought that there were enough people for him to entertain. Second mistake. The best way to reach the audience, as the host, is to intersperse your songs throughout the evening. You will hit more of the audience that way, and you make the other performers feel better about their slot.
If you have a sign up sheet for the performers, put it in an obvious place with a sign that points to it and make periodic announcements before the show that there is a sign up sheet and tell them where it is.
Another very important thing to mention is that you would appreciate courtesy to the performers. Suggest that if folks would like to talk, that they take a table at the back of the room, thereby allowing the people who actually want to hear the music to be able to do so.
And don’t forget to suggest to the musicians that they extend the courtesy that they themselves would like to receive to the performers that are on before them and request that everyone stay the entire evening, not just play and take their entourage and leave. That’s bad form, rude and also doesn’t serve anyone. You learn from every performer you watch. Is there anyone who already knows it all and doesn’t have any more to learn?
Last night there was a band that sat right next to the stage. They were going to go on last and so they had to wait to perform. They talked so loudly during my set (and during which time the entire rest of the room was quiet) that I could not hear the guitar in my lap.
To me they demonstrated that they were not only rude, but unprofessional. They missed the opportunity to learn from a person who has been doing this for almost fifty years. Even though I have been doing thisfor so long, I still learn from every single person I listen to. It is part of how you get better. Not to mention simple courtesy and sensitivity to other people. Now back to what you can do as host to make things better.
Advise all the performers to please get their instruments out of their cases and have them tuned and prepared before the next act is announced. That way there is an actual flow of music and momentum instead of the disorganized and unprofessional mayhem that could ensue.
One of the easiest ways to do this, as the host, is to start the show, sing a song or two at the most, then introduce the first performer. Then while the first performer is on the stage, you locate the next performer and make certain that he is prepared. If there is more than a simple performer change, then do another song and talk to the audience while this change is taking place. That way the entertainment never stops and the focus stays on the stage.
Which brings up another point. After an hour or so of open mic people, take a five minute break. This allows folks to use the facilities and to buy more food and drink. The owner will be pleased as punch. Do this every hour, just for five or ten minutes. It will make everything work better.
Remember, your job as the host, is to make the whole show go smoothly and in an entertaining fashion. You do this and the crowds will grow and the owner will be pleased and you will make MORE money. And you will gain invaluable experience about putting a show together and making it work. Arc, momentum, destination, arrival; these are all things that you take into account even at an open mic.
Reader Comments (9)
Ok a question and a comment..well actually a story...there's a point so bear with me...
I often shy away from open mics...When I am completely on my own with just my guitar and my singing...I have mostly songs that arent raucous...they are largely unknown...many are public domain...I do know that the city I am in is full of loud bands that have big followings...While I am good at getting and keeping an audience's attention the dichotomy between what I do-a performer from the theatre a singer actor aand dancer great at comic and dramatic turns as well as ad libbing...when not on a theatre stage I do as I have mentioned...with myself and my guitar I sing songs from the British Iles and by Dylan and Cohen and Mitchell...I am a writer but the words pour out of my much quicker than the music...so I have years of lyrics...some of them a line or two well over thirty right now are completed lyrical pieces...which will change and mutate when they have music put to them...its a long wait cos the lyrics keep piling up...kind of like the chocolate factory episode of I Love Lucy...ok so here's the question:
At an open mic does it matter if you arent performing original..that is self penned material...i'm thinking if all else fails simply asking the owners of the venue or the specific host(s) what kind of an open mic it is...is it more geared toward one type of music...music composed by the performer or "covers"...i heard once from someone that it doesnt matter that no one cares...its just important to get up there and play...also since alot of the material that I am drwn to performing isnt well known...so I think while it isnt written by me it is original cos there is a whole host of songs that i love that arent being heard...As I am writing this I'm thinking "Go for it as they say showing up the most important thing"...
What do you think Mr Stanley?
What a great article, I especially like the idea of a 5 min break. Good one!
--Jannie
thanks for the posts and yes, of course you go for it. there is nothing like hearing a song that you thought you knew presented in a new light. look at the success of my "all wood and stones" cd that i did with batdorf. everyone loves what happened to songs that they thought they knew.
and thanks for the nod, jannie.
I've ran a very successful open mic for the last 3 years. I have the open mic posted for 9:30pm, but I will not start the open mic until enough people have signed up to make sure that once music starts there won't be any gaps that need to be filled. Once it starts, it goes til close.
Alot of people talk during the open mic, but there's people who listen too. When I go up, I do the songs, I look out into the audience and see some people watching and I zone out the people talking. It's a totally open open mic...I do get a little irritated when I have a spoken word or comedy act on and people are yapping away. Most people who do poetry and comedy are a little turned off...I have seen people good at getting everyone's attention right off the bat and get them to shut up and gain their attention. It takes some skill to catch the rooms attention, but I've seen it done.
Usually once the acts start, I would never think of having an intermission, there's too much to fit in. The place used to allow smoking,then decided to ban it with out state mandate. But keeping the acts coming is what keeps people around. Sometimes someone will kind of suck and people will start heading out. People being drunk at the end of the night makes for some interesting performances as well.
As an Open Mic host...you should be sincere and fair. Always be enthusiastic and encouraging, the audience will be half as excited as you act. I used to DJ at a strip club, getting a certain voice and on stage persona helps get people energized.
Have a decent knowledge of live sound and instruments. How fast can you mic a bongo set? How long will it take you to get sound out of a Korg keyboard someone brings up? What if a 7 piece band from Peru happens to show up with instruments you've never seen the likes of before?...can you make it sound like a million bucks in under a couple of minutes?
To host an open mic you must really care about art and music...you need to treat the guy who just cleared out the room as much respect as the acoustic duo who rocked the place and got people to dance.
Once there is a list of people, scan it over and keep a game plan in mind for how the night will go. Sometimes people back out, sometimes people come in last minute for a spot. Always try to keep it fair and organized.
As a host you should be somewhat talented at playing music with an assortment of originals and covers. I'd say at least and hour or two of material...overall, it's more important on how you deal with fellow musicians and artists than how you play. Rock on!
I've hosted open mics for 25 years. I get complemented for being fair, not showing favoritism, being in the room at all times and responding immediately to technical needs( monitor levels, slipping mics,volume control), and for my patience.I offer a supportive role (bass, harmonies, guitar, drums , etc.),if requested or if show would be improved, but not without permission.I encourage jamming but only with the OK from the performer that signed up for the set. I like the idea of a 5 minute break, but my open mics are so popular, I have trouble fitting everyone in if I do. If too many people, I give bands the 3 songs and soloist 2, but usually, everyone gets 3 songs.
A very important point regarding fairness is to have a strict time limit. I just came back from an open mic and suddenly the friend of the hostess went up and took over the show. He played forty minutes before I finally gave up and left. (I could kick myself for not asking the host whether open mic was over.) The other guitar players left too, so the host's friend (and band mate) and the hostess had the place to themselves. It's surprising that someone could be so clueless and to deep six their own open mic by promoting musical associates, but I keep seeing this kind of thing. Last night I kind of wanted to hear another old guy's jazz but he left after the hostess's friend had been up there for a half hour. He didn't say anything, but I'm sure he was thinking the same thing I was. Will he come back? Maybe not. Who wants to come and see something that is unfair? Who wants to see favoritism? The hostess is sabotaging her own show. She was supposed to promote her open mic night and build her clientele instead of promoting a musical associate. No one will end up coming. Open mic is open mic. IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO PLAY. Let them play! Every minute of opportunity should be used to give them the chance to perform. They want to play. Give them every single chance there is. And hosts and hostesses -- it's your gig, but you ought to play only about one song. The people will appreciate it. If you hog the stage, people won't like you and won't feel like coming back. Get another gig if you want to perform. Open mic is for the people who come to play.
wow, i love all the responses that we've gotten to this post and all of the positions presented are viable and useful. thanks for taking the time to share your expertise with us.
Hi everyone!
Thanks a lot for all the advice. Im 16 so im quite new to the organisation part... In the summer however i am organising an open mic night and my only worry is promotion. How do I make sure that enough people turn up to watch??? Can anyone give some advice?
tim, getting folks to show up is the hardest part. i suggest you invite the best of your singer and songwriter friends to participate and you ask them to each try to bring three people. see if you can arrange with the owner of the venue to give something up, like a free dinner or appetizer or something and use that as a raffle sort of thing, so that one of the three people each act brings will have a chance to get something for free. once people start coming, the showcase will take on a life of its own.
james lee