Lots of Open Mic events are happening around Christchurch, but about this one I learned from Derek D500. He is one of many local performers, who supports EventsHub. Anyway, the event was scheduled at 7:30PM and I came a bit earlier to set up my rig. I didn’t know how many tunes I will play and what will be the overall feeling of the event, so, I prepared to play all of my ‘ready to go’ solo repertoire.
When I got in I found Wayne setting the PA system up for the evening, he kindly gave me some time and space to set my rig up and connect it to the mixer. After our relatively good experience with inline recording of Bobby Lee Anderson performance, I decided to take some more records on this event. It took me several attempts to set up proper output level on the mixer to have the records going properly, and Wayne’s cooperation was much appreciated from my side.
When I finished with the equipment, I noticed a board with list of performers on the opposite wall, and my name was written on it too. However, the sequence on the list was not correct, we performed in a different order.
While other musicians were on stage, I tried to take some pictures and capture some videos. My phone was connected to the output from the mixer, so it was taking sound straight from there. Most of the pictures and some videos were taken by my handheld camera, while the phone was placed on an old metal tripod next to the mixer. Unfortunately, the venue was quite dark and it was difficult to set the camera up properly to take good pictures, however, some of them a listed here. In case if you wish to have the original size pictures – ping me on hello@eventshub.co.nz. The videos are to follow and will be posted in my Facebook profile.
Wayne gave me three tunes to play, so, I played a little part of my original tune Wallace as a part of sound check, if you were there, you might remember this, just before the backing track started. The first tune with backing track was Childhood River cover, the second one was Nostalgia cover, and the last, as usual, was my original, written in 2007, called SQ (don’t ask me why SQ – it is too long story to remember J)).
Other people were very interesting as well, I was impressed by all of them. Derek D500 voice and expression was amazing, Gary was performing very interesting music with his keyboard, guitar and a little pedal board. I am not sure was it cover or his original, but it was amazing. I managed to record only short part of his performance, but I am going to process it properly and post it on Facebook. Another person was performing with a loop pedal, that was awesome, how the only guitar could be used to create rhythm, riff, percussion and solo over it. I took some pictures and videos of his performance, but didn’t get his name, unfortunately.
As I understood so far, Open Mic events are good placed to have fun, express yourself and meet some new interesting people, especially these, who are into music. I, personally believe, everyone, who likes to listen to live music or like to perform in front of audience, should attend open mic events, they will not regret – this is for sure.
Thank you for reading.
The link to the event: https://eventshub.co.nz/events/embankment-tavern-open-mic-794-eventshub
Best regards, Alex.
EventsHub team.