READY OR NOT HERE THEY COME. Guy Russell
What we really need to remember is that Donny’s got talent. Take Famous Villains, Rita Payne and Bang Bang Romeo, all doing us proud darting up and down the country, collaborating with the great and good of the music industry, nearing the gauntlet to celeb-land. We want them to make it, because they deserve it, but even more we want the live original music baton brought home. If any of the mighty and powerful folks over at the Council are reading this, it’s generally the musicians and artists that put a town on the map, so a bit more investment in your arts and culture budget won’t go a miss (nudge nudge, wink wink). Take the Donny metal scene. You tend not to find these guys down at the local poetry night, but Lawrence Taylor aka Loz, front man of While She Sleeps, is up there with Doncaster’s most renowned, securing a seat on Wikipedia’s list of the most famous people from Donny. That’s right he’s standing shoulder to shoulder with Tony Christie, Louie Thomlinson and Devvo. Pubs and clubs of Doncaster, ready or not here they come - an army of upstarts with guitars and poems equipped to kill your ear drums. To
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help them on their way we thought we’d put this open mic guide together. One day they may stand shoulder to shoulder with our finest exports. Fake it till ya make it, kids. Start your music career here. Check out our guide to Open Mic Doncaster and help keep your local pubs and clubs thriving. Conisborough Open Mic Night The Castle Bar, Conisborough (DN12 2BW) Every Thursday, 8pm. Free. Local musicians have regenerated a former working men’s club. It’s safe to say it was on its arse. It’s a family affair at this unique weekly night, with Papa Ferguson and his sons Nathan and Matt of the Avit Blues Band playing hosts. If you’re looking for exposure then this is a great night to start out at. It’s one of the bigger open mic nights in South Yorkshire, with sometimes as many as 300 people turning up. Jam Session The Mallard, Sprotbrough (DN5 8JN) Every Wednesday, 8pm. Free. This is a long-standing jam session where musicians from across Doncaster enjoy and pint whilst sharing tips on how to make love to their guitars. Expect some jaw
droppin’ solos from musos who have been working the music scene since time began. Open Mic at Cask Corner Cask Corner, Cleveland Street (DN1 3EH) Every Wednesday, 8pm. Free. Hosted by that happy chappy James Taplin, this is another great night for exposure. If you’ve got what it takes you might even score yourself a weekend booking. And if you haven’t heard Jim’s power notes fused with blues and rock‘n’roll, you need too. The Vintage Rock Bar St George's Gate (DN1 1LE) Every Thursday, 8pm. Free. Rob Tinsley has to be one of our favourite local music legends and now with a studio above the pub, this is a good destination to talk about getting your newbie butt into the studio with one of Doncaster’s most generous and skilled promoters. Pit Men Poets Concertina Band Pub, Mexborough (S64 9AZ) Third Thursday of the month, 8pm. Free. A new night to add to the calendar dedicated to the spoken word and hosted by ex-pit man turned wordsmith Tony ‘Gooders’ Goodwin. This is a landmark event for the