So I checked out Open Beats, and it was great, way more comfortable than any open mics I’ve been to in the past. It’s a really quality soundsystem and a luxe cocktail bar with comfortable seating. Pretty packed, so maybe less comfortable for folks worried about covid.
Sets were about 15 minutes each, and most people played hiphop, usually boom-bap or lofi. There was one artist who really bounced around, from dnb to trip-hop to techno to house. One person played on a modular, but most had an SP404 or a laptop/controller. Tbh as someone who makes glitchy queer pop music, I think I’d feel like a bit of an outlier signing up.
The music does feel a bit ornamental, not necessarily a focal point for everyone. There were definitely people there just bc it’s a cool bar in a trendy neighborhood on a Friday. A few folks I talked to were really impressed by the “DJs” Most performers did go at it like DJs though- pretty constant energy, few discrete songs, lots of crossfading. The few that didn’t really stood out for the brief bits of dead air.
All in all, I’d go back to listen, despite not being much of a hiphophead. There’s some solid talent and lovely people. I don’t know if I’d perform there, though, there’s a focus on a genre that i don’t really fit into. Maybe when I go regularly, I’ll see a broader palette but all in all, worth checking out if you can make it.