openmikes.org

I've been to a lot of open mikes and this is by far one of the worst. Save the trip. First off its a dive and there were like 10 people in there when i went. Suffice to say I didn't stay to play my slot.

One guy had a song that was almost decent, but the others were bad. Lake Michigan song he sang was lyrically terrible and so so cheesy, melodically weak. and that was the best guy i heard.

there was also literally an insane cat lady who is apparently a regular. She was a complete bigot and racist, i was shocked to see that they allowed her to spew such bigotry. Religiously intolerant and spewing slurs like Gook. i thought she was gonna start complaining about the Jews and Blacks next.(that is the vibe there)so basically if your not white its not the place for you. (sad isn't it) It was horribly offensive. What was even more offensive though is how the white trashy audience laughed and approved of it. Some even commended her after she was done. It was like the scene from Borat when he sang throw the Jew down the well and everyone started to join in.

i went there to relax and play and hear some good music. but it was all horrible plus i dont need some fucking racist old hag spewing hatred while im trying to relax. seriously wtf. DO NOT GO. (unless you want to see a crazy bigot and hear shitty music.)

Jay (11/2010)

Red Line Tap, Thursdays; signup at 8; starts 9:30-10; performers get a free drink; bring your own instrument; drumkit and keyboard provided;

Open Mic Review: So last night, I went to Red Line Tap in Roger's Park. I had heard good things about it and was looking forward to it. After glancing at the website and seeing the signup started at 8pm, I scrambled to get ready and drove my way from Wicker Park up to Roger's Park. It was a very warm spring evening in Chicago; just the right kind of vibe for windows down, Zeppelin up, and a new Thursday open mic.

After finally finding parking, I arrive around 8:20, guitar in tow. The signup list has been started, and leaves spots 1,2, and 3 open - and then it's full down to spot 15 - so it fills up quickly! I calculate I'd rather go earlier than later, when the crowd may be a bit thinner but their attention is fresh, and opt for #3. I ask the very nice girl working the mixing board when it starts; she says around 10. The stage is set up to support a band; there's a drum kit and a keyboard ready to play.

It's a little strange that there's a 2 hour gap between sign-up and go time; they're probably trying to encourage people to go eat at Heartland Cafe during the wait. Yet I'm comfortable settling in; they've got some great old school country music playing, I've got a beer, a candle, and a copy of Tape Op, and I'm a happy camper. The bar isn't too full.

Around 9:45 the host, Mickie, goes up. She's got a great personality, asks the soundgirl for a little more reverb here, a little less chorus there, as she soundchecks - I can tell the sound is going to be emphasized here. She kicks it off with 3 great folky songs, 2 with guitar and 1 with a heavily reverbed ukulele, which sounds kind of amazing.

Then the rest of the acts go up. Again, 3 songs apiece, and everyone here is doing music, usually solo act with guitar, although there were a couple full band moments. The acts range from wonderfully eccentric (see: old lady yelling while wearing a bike helmet) to strong songwriting; overall very polished acts. It's again apparent there's a set of regulars here; several of them go up and accompany each other; and several performers ask the audience what songs they want to hear.

Despite the family-type feel, it's a very welcoming setting and the (smallish) audience was very attentive. (The crowd never really grew over the night.) The sound very good, although a bit too loud for an open mic - after a while I put my earplugs in. One guy, who I also saw at Pint on Tuesday, was there and said this is his favorite open mic in the city.

I left a bit past midnight; feeling a bit guilty bc there were still performers to go. My one recurring problem with open mics: how late they start, and subsequently, how late they end. Don't other people have to get up for work, or school, or something?

The other interesting thing about this open mic is they film it to play on public access television later. You have to sign a release if you want to be shown. The free drink is cool too.

Overall, there's a certain ineffable quality to open mics that I can only best describe as 'vibe'. It's part due to the bar's atmosphere, the attention to sound, the host, the people who perform. Red Line Tap has a great vibe. I really liked this one. I'll go back. As long as I've got enough time to settle in from 8pm on.

Joanie (4/2010)

Excellent open mic with a great host! Micki is extremely talented, warm and welcoming. Some really good talent can be found here too.

Bill Kavanagh (5/2009)

Great Open Mic, Micki is an incredibly kind and nice host, unlike that guy who was the host a few years back - I frequent the place, and I have to say it's pretty cool now.

They have a great PA and very attentive sound people, so you really feel like a pro - those of us who don't play gigs really get a fun night out!

Mark H (12/2007)

Enthusiastic audience; seems like a good place to do a live recording as the croud is quite energetic. Good Sound System.

Gary "g-man" Wesselhoff (5/2005)

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