Open mic night

Under The Hammer's open mic night is back on Tuesday 20 October, part of its regular run every Tuesday from 8pm. It's been running in this same format for two years now, and the pitch is simple: it's open to anyone who can play, recite or perform. Whether you're a musician, a poet, or something in between, you'll get around three songs or the equivalent of fifteen minutes on stage, and there's a free drink behind the bar for anyone who performs.

It's a wide-open brief, and that's where the variety comes from. You'll hear singers, instrumentalists and spoken word side by side, and because it's an open mic, the line-up changes every week. The night has hosted both national and international performers over the years, with Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin once dropping in for a song. That's the kind of thing that can happen here — you might get a local regular one week and someone you'd usually only see on a proper tour the next.

There are a few practical things to keep in mind. The night is held in a public bar, so under-18s aren't permitted. If you're planning on turning up with backing tracks, you're advised to message ahead so they can get things sorted before you arrive. Otherwise, it's just a matter of showing up and taking your turn.

It's free to get in, and the night runs every Tuesday from 8pm at Under The Hammer, 11 North Silver Street, Aberdeen (AB10 1RJ). If you've got something you've been working on, this is a straightforward place to get it in front of people.