I just thought I had better put together this page for non Facebook users as a guide to where the open mics are that I'm involved with. It probably should have a better name and will have when we can think of one, but for now oh well....

Cricketers Woodford (with Lisa): Last Thursday of every month.
Orford House Social Club (with Steve and Richard): Second Thursday of every month
Queens Head Waltham Abbey: First Thursday Of The Month.
Coppermill Walthamstow : First and Third Tuesday of the month . With myself and Steve Rushton.

HOW THEY WORK
Unless otherwise stated its sign up at 7.30 pm to start at 8pm
Order is by and large order of arrival
Everyone does 3 songs and if there is time at the end we will either go around again or have a short jam.
Backing tracks are OK although we would prefer you ask the musicians at the open mic to accompany you.

Other East London Open Mics

There are other great open mics in the area, these are the ones I go to:Gerry & Phil's Old Hall Tavern Open Mic Third Thursday of the month. For many many years this was Trev's open mic but he has handed it over as of 2025. 200 Hall Ln, London E4 8EY
Lord Palmerston Open Mic. Run by local band Someone and the Somethings it runs I think monthly on a Wednesday. 252-254 Forest Rd, Forest E17 5JN
Kris Ambrose's Harlow Electro Acoustic Night Every 2 weeks on Wednesday, best check the Herald or Facebook for details.
The Herald, Broadley Rd, Harlow CM19 5RDSee also:
East London Open Mics Group on Facebook
And don't forget:
Open Mic Finder

Coppermill Walthamstow, 205 Coppermill Lane

With Steve Rushton

1st & 3rd Tuesday Of Each Month

Next One

Orford House Social Club, 73 Orford Rd, E17 9QR

With Steve Rushton & Richard

Second Thursday Of Each Month

Next One

The Cricketers 299-301 High Rd Woodford IG8 9HQ

With Lisa

Last Thursday Of Every Month

Next One

The Queens Head, 60 Paternoster Hill, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3LA

First Thursday Of Every Month

Next One

For New Performers

Just some random thoughts for new performers.
1. You play 3 or 4 songs and if there's time we go around again.
2. You can bring music on paper or a tablet - we have a music stand.
3. Try and tune your guitar before you go on.
4. When singing, sing as close to the mic as reasonably possible, a couple of inches distant maybe.
5. Pick simple songs to start with, the clever stuff can come later!
6. The pitch (key) of the song should be so that the highest note is near the top of your range (but not above! - note to self!)
7. Things will go wrong - it doesn't matter at all - the audience will applaud you anyway for giving it a go at live music.
8. I do advise against backing tracks and karaoke at an open mic, but its ok if it gets you going.
9. Most acoustic guitars have battery powered pickups which is ideal. Make sure your battery is healthy and turn the volume up to at least 80%. We will balance the volume and tone through the PA. If yours hasn't got a pickup we just put a spare microphone up really close.
10. Try and hang around to see the other performers. We all need an audience and they make a great network that is useful for you as to go about your musical "career", as well as being an invaluable source of tips, advice and expertise.

Mailing List

If you want a memory jogger in your email each time an open mic is coming up, drop your email address here. Thanks!

About me

I go to a fair few open mics in the area and I have got into hosting a couple of them. I have my own website of originals and covers at johndrummond.com