Listening Sessions: 13th Birthday

Listening Sessions are back at Dark Horse on Friday 6 November, with the night running under the title 13th Birthday. It's an open mic session, so the bill is built on whoever turns up to play rather than a fixed line-up. If you've been to one before, you'll know the format: a mix of local acts and whoever happens to be in the room that night, with the mic open to anyone who wants a go.

That's the thing about an open mic that sets it apart from a standard gig. You get a real cross-section of what's happening in the city, and the night changes depending on who shows up. One week it might lean towards singer-songwriters, the next it could be a bit more experimental, and you'll hear a range of styles and experience levels on the same stage. It's as much about the people who come to play as the people who come to listen.

13th Birthday is the name they've given this particular session, and the night is hosted by Listening Sessions. The venue is Dark Horse in Moseley, so it's over in south Birmingham. If you're planning to play, it's worth getting there a bit early to get your name down. If you're just coming to watch, you can just turn up and see who takes the stage. It's a Friday night, so it's a good one to keep in the diary for early November.