MHANI: Black Box Open Mic

The Black Box's monthly open mic is back on Wednesday 21 October, run in association with MHANI (Mental Health Arts Northern Ireland). It's a night for performers new and old: a place where newer acts are allowed to feel a bit more comfortable in their discomfort and more experienced hands are pushed outside of theirs. Regular host Jessie Fletcher works to keep things vaguely on schedule, and the bill typically mixes musicians, poets and comedians.

That mix is part of the appeal. You'll hear a song, then a poem, then a few minutes of stand-up, and back again, so it's less of a concert and more of a variety night. Because it's an open mic, the line-up changes every time, and the room welcomes people testing out new material alongside those who've been playing for years. It's a low-stakes way to see what's coming up in the city, and if you're a performer yourself, one of the nights where you can get up and try something out without it needing to be perfect.

The night sits within a wider Belfast music scene that was recognised with a UNESCO City of Music designation in 2021, drawing on a blend of traditions from lively traditional sessions and Ulster-Scots fiddle tunes to the sounds that inspired artists such as Van Morrison, Snow Patrol, The Undertones and Phil Coulter. The city's venues, including the O2 Belfast, the historic Ulster Hall, The Limelight, Empire Music Hall and the Sunflower Public House, anchor that scene, while The Oh Yeah Music Centre nurtures emerging talent. The Black Box is part of that same network, and this open mic is one of the spots where that emerging talent actually gets a stage.

This is a monthly event, so if you miss the 21 October date, there's another one coming up later in the season. The series runs through to 16 December, with the Black Box in Belfast as the venue for each one.