Rant, a MAJOR one

Its not offten that I rant, and maybe last night was a one off, but I doubt it.
I was at an open mic, location secret, in Nottingham on Thursday nad the musicians were great. Load of different styles. Mainly guitar based but an very good beat-boxer, a guy rapping to a CD (not my cup of tea, but good none the less), and very good guitarist who spent 5 mins tuning, played very well if long and other players who were good as well. Good is very good in my opinion. The sound engineer was probably the best I have every heardat an open mic, constantly on the ball and even ensuring that the monitor sound was good for the performer. Bloody Brill.
What went wrong then. I did not play!
Well I put my name down early on, requested spot 4 so I could see what it was like and listen to thesound. Dilligently tuned up, but was not called forward. Later I asked when I was going on, he re-wrote hist list, or shouldI say added it again to his new list and I was on in 5 acts time. OK I thought, a bit late but never mind. The reason for the new list was that loads had turned up later and asked to go on "Early". Sorry if you cannot turn up Early you don't get on Early, in my opinion.
Any how, Iwas there, had been for hours and my turn came, and some one else went up. So was I on next because I had mis-counted, no, someone else was up after the current player, then me.
At this point I threw my toys out of the pram. Stated this was the crappiestand most shambolic of Open Mics I had ever attended, packed up and walked out. It is a shame, I like the pub and I have seen many great bands there, sothis is not a reflection on the venue.
Fine I had had a free drink, but for the record, thats not why I do it..
I am not precious enough to think I am the next guitar playing GOD. I like to listen and play. I do it for my fun. I do not automatically expect to play. However, 1st timers should always get a play, especially if they get their early and put their name down. This should be at the expense of the regulars.
I have been a regular at many open-mics and I have been dropped by the host because they have many one-offs or 1st timers. That is fine.
A few open-mic type rules
1. 1st timers always play. They should be given the option f when they want to play. It is a duanting experiance for 1st timers so all the support should be offered to place them at their ease.
2. The organise should orgainse the list and be strong enough to manage it3. Either 2 or 3 songs or 10 minutes, the list can go around a again. Personally I prefer 3 songs, of moderate length 3 - 4 mins. I have seen people do a sort of medley thing of about 3 songs then go "well thats 1 song done, the next is a medley of??? songs from the 70's"
3. Bloody well tune up before you play. The organise should plan ahead and give the next but one act time to set up.
As I left, following my minor rant and it was minor, the host appologised, fair do, but this is your show and it is your responsibility to ensure it runs correctly. He stated that it was not like this normally. If I go down again I am to let him know he pissed me off last time and then he would make sure I would get on. I will not do that.
Upon later reflection, I thought, that cannot be correct. There was young lad who had been down three times to try and play and had only just got on.
I will try again as I want to play there, not because he stated I would get on.
Rant over badger readers.
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Original Publish Date Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:22:00 -0700