Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 will be my last night as host of the Open Mic Night at The Slate. After a Christmas break, the night will continue again in January 2012 with a new host (details soon).

I'll be playing with a full band on the 14th, please come down and see me before I go!

Cork's finest Open Mic Night happened each Wednesday night at The Slate on Tuckey Street. I hosted the night from June 2010 until I moved to Munich in December 2011. I'm keeping this page up for now to help the next host when the night gets going again. Here's what we used to say:

Every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30pm, songwriters, poets, comedians, and other performers from Cork and beyond have the chance to perform their original material and get some feedback from the audience of other songwriters and interested listeners. Each musical act usually has time for about three songs. If you're there at 9:30 you'll be able to perform, just ask me when you arrive. If you're coming from outside of Cork, please let me know in advance and I'll make sure you get a chance so you don't come all the way and miss the chance to perform.

An acoustic guitar and two vocal microphones are available on the night, but other instruments, unaccompanied singers, standup comedy, and poetry are encouraged as well. We love original songs, but good covers are more than welcome too. The Slate is a late bar featuring Marco the DJ after the open mic, so you don't have to rush off after the live music over, making it ideal to meet your fellow musicians at our traditional post-gig table. So far we've had singers from Ireland, England, Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Slovakia, Finland, Russia, New Caledonia, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, and the United States - only 175 more countries or so to go until we have them all. I hope to see you there soon.

The Irish Examiner wrote a quick piece on the Open Mic Night in the January 15, 2011 issue.

A few people have been asking me about the Slate's Over 23's policy - please note that if you're at least 18 you are welcome at the open mic night.

Where is the Slate?

View Larger Map

Past performers include

We've had performances by a lot of interesting people. Some of these are Marc Arguin, Emily Brown, Dave Burke, Brian Casey, Jon Clark, Liz Clark, Steve Collender, Sean Coughlin, Danalyze, Kenny Hyslop, Fletcher Johansson, Billy Kennedy, Fiona Kiely, Jon Leahy, Honest Spud Leonard, Gavin Mee, Neil McCarthy, Mick McLoughlin, Oisin McNally, Cormac O Caoimh, James O'Connor, Orla O'Sullivan, Russ Palmer, Kieran Ring, Shanaqui (Edel Byrne), Gabriel Shirley, Yossi J Valdman, Dave Williams and Ciara O'Sullivan, Anto Yau, Stephen Young, and Li YunHe. If you've played and I haven't linked to you, please let me know.

Open Mic Nights in Cork

And other similar nights...

Sundays
Americana-style acoustic session at Bradley's on Barrack St, all musicians are welcome to join in. Starts about 8:30.

Mondays
Ó Bhéal is a poetry open mic night run by Paul Casey. It starts with a poetry challenge for the audience, then one or two guest poets do their thing, then there's an open mic for anyone who wants to get up. Starts at 9pm every Monday in The Hayloft above the Long Valley on Winthrop Street.

Tuesdays
Andy Wilson hosts The Open Mic at Fred's every Tuesday night upstairs at Fred Zeppelin's starting at 9pm. Andy or a guest host starts the night off with a few songs and then anyone can get up and play.

Wednesdays
My night!

Thursdays
UCC Capriccio Music Society Jam Night in the New Bar at UCC, featuring my bandmates Eoin Fennessy and Kevin O'Shea. All musicians are welcome to join them on vocals or an instrument. Starts about 9pm.

Let me know if I'm missing something.