Those of you that know me will know i love my gadgets.  So I brought a bag of them with me to the open mic this week.  I successfully managed to connect my mixing desk to my iPad via USB and use garage band to make some recordings.  They came out pretty well I thought.  Here they are. I also took my camera.  A Canon 550D with a Rode Video  [ Read More ]

Darren Hodge is 16 years old, has played for about 4 years now and is self-taught (apart from his school music lessons).  I know his music teacher and if I didn’t mention him then I would be in trouble.  Darren went to see Tommy Emmanuel a few months ago. Tommy is a world-famous finger style guitarist with over 20 albums, one of which recorded with Chet Atkins, Tommy’s life long  [ Read More ]

How busy was that open mic then people?  Wow.  Firstly thank you to everybody who performed because that was a tough night.  When it is that busy it does becoming a little daunting and everybody was amazing.  Thank you to Gary & Cas who are very used to Open Mics and played a lovely country set.  Darren Hodge who is just superb.  If you have not sen this lad then  [ Read More ]

Open Mic nights in Bristol are always fun especially at Molloys Pub open mic night. The Irish bar in the centre of town always attracts fun people.  Last night was no exception with the boys who were having a bit to eat after and energy efficiency training day.  Thinking they were only in for a bit, between the three of them actually ended up rocking the stage for an hour and half.  [ Read More ]

It was the 1st Birthday of The Plough, Taunton Open Mic this week and what a turn out of exceptional talent we had. 9 performers doing over 30 minutes of material each to a packed pub. It is difficult running a weekly open mic and getting a high number of performers but it just goes to show how much talent there is in Taunton. It’s not just one genre and  [ Read More ]

As part of their musical studies students at Access To Music, the UK’s leading musical college, are encouraged to perform their work in front of others to improve confidence, stage presence, getting on and off a stage and getting your sound right. Westside Open Mic are pleased to help these up and coming musicians, giving them the opportunity to play live and meet other musicians already on the scene. I  [ Read More ]