Why go to open mics (or not)?
In this second part, we will look in detail at the reasons to participate or boycott open mics. Let's start with the positive points.
Develop your network
By participating, you will meet people, and not the least. The artists present are there for the same reasons as you and are at about the same level as you. An open mic can be the cradle of fruitful musical encounters that may lead to collaborations. Each artist attends all performances as the order of appearance is random and everyone can be called on stage at any time.
An important source of inspiration
In the words of Kirby Ferguson in his documentary "Everything is a remix": "nothing is created, nothing is lost, but everything is transformed" in reference to the famous phrase of the scientist Antoine Laurent de Lavoisier. We can also quote Goethe as an art theorist: "the most original authors of today are not those who bring something new, but those who know how to say known things as if they had never been said before". So let yourself be inspired by the many live performances you attend, to sounds that move you. You'll pick up ideas that will then come out through your prism. But be careful not to fall into plagiarism!
Meet your audience
Interacting with an audience is not something you can learn in one day. You must proceed by trial and error and take risks. Be innovative, you will immediately feel if the public follows you or not. To do this you can obviously use classic techniques, like making the audience clap their hands or making them participate by singing along with you for example. If you come with your own compositions, open mics are a good way to test them and to feel if they are liked or not.
Open mics also have their share of negative points. Here are some of them:
Compensation
Do not go to open mics to make money, it is not a good bet! Indeed, these events generally do not pay the artists. You are paid in "visibility". Sometimes, the organizers pass the hat in the public, which ensures you at best a compensation.
Not always optimal conditions
Due to the high number of shows, you can't always do a soundcheck before the show starts. Soundchecks allow you to be comfortable with the feedback and to get your bearings on stage. Not doing so can alter the quality of your performance, at the risk of not hearing yourself well when you start singing for example.
Conclusions
Open mics are a springboard for your career, an essential first step to get started. Adele, Lady Gaga or Ed Sheeran started there and were spotted by producers or labels who were there by chance. Afterwards, it is important to try to approach concert halls/bars to fully express yourself and propose a longer and more immersive show. The public can then fully immerse itself in your universe and discover a wider range of your artistic skills.
Apolline offers singing lessons in Lausanne as well as guitar lessons, drum lessons and piano lessons to help you perfect your musical skills.
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