Genres
Open Mic events have a broad variety of moods, set by the location, the type of venue and the host's own personal performance style.
Finding a tribe of like-minded performers can feel validating. Conversely, when someone turns up and performs in a style that is not usual for the event, it can be invigorating or sometimes slightly awkward.
The following definitions are intended as general indicators that when used in combination, describe the kind of mood of the event.
Acoustic/Electro-Acoustic
Instruments with no electronic modification to sound, other than amplification. Electro-acoustic instruments have a pick up but other than that are completely in line with traditional types.
Rock/Punk/Metal
Loud, sometimes aggressive music created with distortion, delay and pitch-shifters. Shouty vocals, tattoos, beards and black t-shirts.
The Blues
Rhymed simple narrative and a trance-like rhythm, forming a repetitive effect called a groove.
Folk
A traditional music evolved by a process of oral transmission or performed by custom over a long period of time
Electronica/Synth
Music created predominantly on digital devices such as keyboards, drum machines and computers.
Rap/Hip-Hop/Beatbox
Cosmopolitan genre most likely found in urban city venues. Often political subject matter in lyrics, sometimes aggressive with swearing.
Comedy
People who make people laugh. Every great comedian started their career at an open mic.
Poetry
Poetry, prose and spoken word performers can range from wildly expressive to hushed and abstract. Their pieces can contain humor but are just as likely to deal with the serious. The one common factor is that they are using only their voice so noise from an audience and venue can seriously affect the performance.
Jazz
Jazz is characterised by swing and blue notes, complex chords, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation.
Funk & Soul
A danceable mixture of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues.
Storytelling
The earliest form of education, philosophy and entertainment.
Reggae
Genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s
World Music
Encompassing many different styles of music from around the globe, which includes many genres of non-Western music
Magic
Sleight of hand, card tricks, illusions and other forms of live performance magic
Musical / Showtunes
Musical and showtunes are songs originally written as part of theatrical performances that combine songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance.
Dance
Performing expression through movement of the body.