One of my goals in the next several months is to begin performing at local open mics, either solo or with a few band mates. 

I haven’t attended many open mics in the past. I’ve never played at one. So my first step was to check out the local scene, to see which events best fit my music and skills. 

I started with the closest event, held at The Jungle Music Club in Somerville. 

I liked the space. There was a raised stage at the front of the medium-sized room and a bar at the back. Tables and chairs were in between, which could be pushed back or removed to make for the audience in front of the stage. The sound system was decent. 

While the venue was nice, the performers didn’t seem like a great fit for me. Most of them rapped or sang to backing tracks. One guy attempted a stand-up comedy routine. There were a few musical instruments in the crowd, but none made it to the stage in the hour I was there. It didn’t feel like a gathering of musicians. A possibility, for sure, but not at the top of the list. 

Next up was an event at The Bebop in Boston, right around the corner from the Berklee School of Music. 

I didn’t love the space. It was a bar and restaurant with a tiny stage tucked into the window by the front door. Some of the patrons were there for the open mic, but many were there for a drink and/or a meal. The latter carried on talking, drinking and eating as if there were no performers, which was distracting. The sound system was weak, so it was tough for the performers to overcome the room noise. 

The performers themselves were a mix of karaoke singers and musicians singing along to guitar or piano. They seemed like a slightly better fit for me, as a group, but the space was off-putting. Again, a possibility, but not high on my list. 

My third event was an open mic at Club Passim, the venerable music club in Harvard Square. Passim has been recommended to me many times in the past as a place to see live music, so I was aware of it. But I never set foot in the club until the open mic. 

I was immediately impressed with the room. The stage filled the back end of a lovely restaurant space, which offered tasty food and great service. The sound system was excellent – the music came through loud and clear. 

As nice as the venue was, the performers were better. They blew me away, after my experiences at The Jungle and The Bebop. There were some serious artists in the group, performing at a professional level. And the less experienced performers sounded great, as well. Seemed like a good fit and a good challenge for me, given the talent level. So far, Passim is at the top of my list. 

More to come, as I explore other open mics around Boston. Let me know if you have any recommendations. 

Hope everyone is having a great summer! Thanks, as always, for your interest and support.  

Tom