The Union Gardens was filled with a distinct energy due to a unique crowd of student performers on Thursday night. Associated Students Technical Services (ASTEC) and Studio WYO helped to host a variety of talented, student artists at Open Mic Night.
Open Mic Night attracted a crowd of hip, college students, who enjoyed both the music and the Gardens’ bar scene. One of the event organizers, Miles Griffith said, “We have a lot of regulars, and every new Open Mic session helps to bring a new lineup.” He has seen poetry readings, comedy routines and many musical performances.
On Thursday, the majority of the performers were Caucasian men with acoustic guitars who performed a mixture of folk, pop and rock. The similarity between many of these performers caused the audience to become complacent and rowdy, which occasionally drowned out the music. The more diverse and unique performers captured the crowd’s attention more effectively.
The Garden’s audience held baited breaths when the talented Will Flagg took the stage and belted out his rendition of the Beatles’ “Oh, Darling”. Every time he perfectly crooned a particularly difficult part of a song, excited screams from the crowd filled the room. This was Flagg’s first time performing at the Gardens, and while the audience’s strong reaction to his singing could get him far as a musician, he prefers for his music to be a hobby. Flagg formed this opinion after working at a recording studio in Nashville, Tenn. and realizing a professional music career would take the fun out of his craft.
Another artist to look out for is Cameron Green, who was the last one of the night to perform and was greeted by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. He considers his style to be pop, punk or whatever his listener decides it is.
He normally plays a couple of popular songs and a few of his originals to test out what the audience likes. Green said, “I get a lot of inspiration by going to open mic events; they teach you things you didn’t know, like new tricks for the guitar and lyrical styles.”
Be sure to check out the talented and upcoming University of Wyoming artists at the next Open Mic Night, held at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of every month.
If interested in performing at the next Open Mic Night, be prepared to come to the Gardens a half hour early to sign up. Look for Markus Holley or Miles Griffith.
