Lambeth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Lambeth’s largest Junior & Youth Open Mic event takes place today, Feb 16, at Brixton JAMM, running from noon to 8 PM, showcasing young musical talent.
What makes JOM Open Mic the biggest youth music event in the UK?
With up to 95 musicians performing, Lambeth’s JOM open mics are the biggest of their type in the nation and are a celebration of youth music. They usually draw a rolling audience of 350 people.
There are two music stages for this family-friendly, free event. 12 bands, 15 solo artists, and 1 duet are scheduled to perform on Stage 1 (the main stage) of JAMM, which is completely booked out. The performers range in age from 5 to 18.
While some of the artists will be making their first public appearance, others will be seasoned performers who have frequently played at JOM, developing their skill over time.
Stage 2 is “open” due to the high demand for performances; simply show up and play. It has two SM58 microphones, two guitar amps (either electric or acoustic), a keyboard, and the ability to play backing tracks via your phone, making it perfect for solos and duets.
However, since there are 11 bands and 26 solos on the waiting list to perform on Stage 1 (should an act cancel), they anticipate that Stage 2 will be crowded on the day.
All U18s must be accompanied by a parent in order to enter, however admission is free. One parent may bring and be in charge of up to eight U18s at a time for larger gatherings. The door has a sign-in procedure.
During their down times, licensed music venues provide free open mics hosted by JOM, an award-winning all-volunteer organization.
They want young people to feel rewarded for taking a chance and to have the opportunity to perform on large venues.
They don’t evaluate or teach music, and they think a young person’s creativity belongs to them to explore and grow at their own speed.
Over 1800 young people have performed at JOM since 2017—some as many as 70 times. The 94th session will be JOM @ JAMM.
What type of performances are encouraged at the open mic?
A wide range of acts are encouraged at the Brixton JAMM open mic event.
Performers can display their musical prowess by performing original songs or covers of songs from a variety of genres, including pop, rock, blues, acoustic, and more.
There is a chance for narrative and artistic expression as poets and spoken word artists are invited to share their work.
The performances may also include comedic sketches and stand-up comedy, which provide comedians a chance to try out new material in front of an audience.
Rappers are able to execute their verses, displaying their rhythm and lyrical abilities.