Jam Nights / Open Mic Nights

I have no experience of these at all but I was wondering what people thought of them?

Very worthwhile if you're just starting up and need live experience or just experience playing with people. Unfortunately in my experience there's a lot of politics floating around at these things; running one seems to give individuals a sense that they're better. If you can find a nice welcoming one though that *honestly* doesn't mind about talent then it's well worth frequenting it. I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't taken the plunge at a jam night I don't expect.

I even helped to run one for nigh on two years (fleur de lis in burham - it's still active monthly I think!) and that severely helped my playing, normally I would be the only bassist there and would have to busk the whole set.

Even if you're in a band, jam nights can be good for networking and additional exposure, not least to the venue they're hosted at. Unfortunately because of this many jams are intimidating to newcomers because they're more like showcases, and often those who run it will ask up all their friends or people they know are good so as not to lose face. If this is the case, then just keep pestering.

There are a few locally to me that are ok, and probably worth going to once to see if you latch onto the atmosphere: Flaming Henrys in Maidstone on wednesdays (Bank St), The Lower Bell in Aylesford on mondays (take the turning before you get to the garage going down/up blue bell hill) and Bards at the Barge, which is on the first wednesday of every month at the Barge in Gillingham (Layfield Road) - this last one has the best atmosphere but is an acoustic jam, so no full drum kits but they do have their own percussion instruments if you fancy having a bash.

For an example of a jam night gone bad, check out the billabong club on tuesdays. Truly dire.

The Grand Hotel open mic night in Folkestone is absolutely brilliant.

I miss getting to play it. Easily my favourite place to play in the whole world. Lovely relaxed atmosphere, great music, oh I love it.

We turned up on the first night and there was me, my mate doing some emo-y stuff, and everyone else was doing Bob Dylan covers. Over time it became a complete mix up of different styles. Then the PA was taken away and it was still awesome, but the funk stuff had to stop.

My friend and I can sit down, and over a pint reminisce about the great stuff we've seen played there.

At the louis in Dover, in the mid nineties there used to be jam night every wednesday.

I kid ye not, hundreds used to turn up on this night. Every wednesday was brilliant!

This was the mid-nineties, and there is no way you'd get that coverage now, but this jam night played a fundamental importance in many bands and musicians gaining confidence in themselves, playing in front of a crowd.

It didnt matter how awful it sounded. We cheered.

This kinda reminds me of my "Did another local live band..." thread as well.

The only reason they fail is becuase of apathy, and laziness and the fact we have so much home entertainment these days people dont need to go out, like tonght for instance, i shall be going to my dads jam night at the kings hall which IS advertised on mrgig.com, yet noone from Kents leading gig guide/forum will bother to turn up , probably becuase they THINK they are too good for it....just normal behaviour really but hey hey I'll be there if anyone wishes to play some music and 'Jam' cheap beer too ! its a wonderful venue for acoustic music with a PA supplied and a definate lack of musicians willing to bother putting themselves out enough to venture out of thier cozy little houses.

if you have a pipe please stick this in it or come and show your lack of apathy...

I dont own any transport yet i will STILL walk to the kings hall with my guitar and then walk home afterwards..... lazy arent I

I didn't know it was on, to be honest.

Its over the hill, if I'd known I'd have strolled over.

well i think they're ok if you like listening to people do covers and play lead guitar that you would only normally hear in bedrooms in front of mirrors. whenever i go i usually do some thing spur of the moment. unfortunately the people who attend only want to hear covers so i get mad and start making the most horrible racket i can muster up. cunts (insert taliban smiley here)

Yes there tends to be a lot of that, but take a different stance and those downfalls (bedroom players) become part of the entertainment, watching them struggle in vain for musical integrity.

ha haaaa definately!!!

get down !

No.

Ouch you said it wouldn't hurt!!!!

Where is this Kings Hall place?

This is why I asked Sexgod to put a map up.

It's on the London road, Jamie. Opposite the "spar". The road goes up to the left.

It's a big building, you couldn't miss it. It used to be a bingo hall.

Had some legendary gigs there, before getting banned for being too loud. The council have come down hard on the owners of the hall, because it is so near a residential area.

That's never a good mix.

Is the Kings Hall thing friendly to solo people like me James?

Now I know its on, I think I'm around for the next one, I'd like to play somewhere before I go back...

Love these when they're not solo-hogged or too loud.
Helps when people can play and sing pretty well.
Good to meet people and play, and maybe never see them again.
I like to have a crack at anything without prior warning.
To play on-the-spot.
I tend to obsess over the collective highs and lows on recordings for ages afterwards.

first went to orange street music club to do one of these last year, was a shambles ( sorry if anyone is involved, but it was!) sound was shoddy, was choc full of your usual acoustic damien rice stuff, and the odd kate nash cover worryingly! but it was a good experience and invaluable in growing the fortitude for the first proper gig!

I believe the Red Lion in Ramsgate is starting a Jam night on Fridays.

Jamie, can you get the details of that for me? I'll make it a sticky.

James, can you get the details of the one in Folkestone for me so I can do the same?

And if anyone else knows of any others...

The Red Lion one is not up and running yet. They have only just put up the poster in the pub asking for interested parties to contact the landlady. I am playing there next Saturday so if I have not gone in before then I will ask her about it and let you know.

The Grand Hotel is on the leas. They have an acoustic open mic night on the first wednesday of every month. Its in the bar to the side, so if you're looking up the stairs to the main entrance, go right and there is a gate and a path to a bar.

I'm not sure if its electric again, but I much prefer the full unplugged nights.

It's run by Leo Carlisle. 10/15 minute slots generally, good atmosphere. What else do you need to know?

Hiya!

Start time, finish time.

Entry fee.

Typical music's.

I'd always get there for a start at 8. It depends on the turnout. Plays on long after 11, I typically had to leave at 11:15 for my train, and there was almost always people still to play.

Free entry. The general turnout is folk, but there has been funk, soul, pop, rap, emo and me before. It all just depends on the electricity thing really.

Added. Thankyou sir!

Keep them rolling in!