Teesside Open Mic Club

Monday 23rd June

Now weekly, the Teesside Open Mic Club is becoming more popular as the weeks go by. The calibre of performers who are appearing at The Sportsman each Monday is second to none and this genre of music is proving to be a firm favourite with music lovers everywhere.
We were treated to our host of this event, Frank giving us a song to start off the evenings entertainment. Its always refreshing to see a promoter actually joining in with the proceedings and Frank clearly enjoys these evenings as much as the audience and the performers alike.

We had the fantastic Joe Burge up after Frank. This was Joe's first appearance at TOM and he played brilliantly giving us all a set made up of entirely his own material. Joe is an aspiring singer / songwriter from Middlesbrough and has recently appeared at our Acoustic Sundays at Borders Bookstores on Teesside Retail Park. Currently Joe is in a local band - Nil by Mouth who are also proving to be very popular at some of the more high profile venues in the area.


Following Joe we had J B Butterfield. Always a pleasure to watch J B perform, he has a quality that is unique to him and never fails to entertain. A seasoned performer, J B plays a range of his own material - he is currently signed to Spook records - and a selection of cover songs guaranteed to set your toes tapping. J B Is one of the more popular acoustic acts in the area at present and can be seen at various venues across Teesside on a regular basis.



Next up tonight we had another new face for the Teesside Open Mic Club. Navor describes himself as being a "progressive / visual" performer. We would have to agree with him. He played a selection of original material and several cover songs accompanied by the electric guitar and backing tracks. This young man has a decidedly different approach to his act and pulls it off beautifully. Navor played his set to a definately interested pub and we are looking forward to seeing a lot more of this guy in the future.

Our next act was Paul Arrowsmith. Paul entertained us all with an amusing set made up of original and traditional folk songs. Playing the Banjo and the mandolin this guy is a talented musician who managed to make everybody laugh whilst also passing on a profound political message. Paul also runs the Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club held every third Saturday at The Travellin Man. Definately a performer we want to see play again and we are looking forward to his next appearance at TOM.


The final act of the evening was The Bass Players Daughter. Harriet and her dad make up this duet and perform a selection of contemporary songs. Her own material speaks of deep feeling and is of a quality not usually found in one so young. Backed by her Dad who usually plays Bass guitar but dons an acoustic for backing Harriet this pair were outstanding in their performance and will be playing again at the TOM on 7th July. Ending the set with a cover of "That's Entertainment" pretty much summed up the evening at The Sportsman and was a tremendous way to end a brilliant evening filled with many talented artists.

The Teesside Open Mic Club will be continuing every Monday Night at The Sportsman and is well worth checking out. We want to point out that this is an organised event with accomplished performers appearing each week. If you like live music and would like to see a whole host of talent right here in Teesside go and check it out!
If you would like to appear at one of the future TOM evenings then please contact Frank on 07804 698721 to book your slot.

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