Review: The Crescent open mic night

EVERY other Sunday night at Salford's Crescent means only one thing, an open mic session, writes Emily Burgin.

Once a fortnight, this student-friendly pub becomes a stage for budding singers to showcase their music.

When Quays News popped in recently, the atmosphere was friendly with an eclectic mix of elderly people, students and even the odd man and his dog. The décor left something to be desired but the drinks were cheap and the venue was definitely homely.

The opening act sang his own song, which was a good start to the night. The second act was a different kettle of fish altogether. He sang a song composed by his friend about his grandparents. It was called ‘Nanny, Get off Granddad’. His vocals were average but the song was hilarious. The tune was very catchy resulting in the crowd singing and laughing along.

Next, a man resembling Newton Faulkner was up and sang two good songs of his own. His voice was amazing and didn’t disappoint.

The most exciting act of the night was a talented guitarist who sang five songs

ending in a fantastic acoustic rendition of ‘Johnny, Be Good’ by Chuck Berry. The crowd gathered round and the barmen were full of compliments and praise for this singer.

Next was a band from Devon who sounded a lot like The Smiths and sang two of their own songs, ending with an upbeat Beatles classic ‘Help From My Friends’.

The final act was a young man whose deep music was reminiscent of Razorlight. He sang a good three songs of his own. His appearance was very Elvis-esque but his music was soft and easy to listen to.

Overall, the experience was very exciting. The atmosphere and vibe were very positive, making the night really pleasant. The Crescent’s open mic night proved there is plenty of talent around and is definitely worth a shot if you’re into new, original music from upcoming singers. Although the interior could do with a spruce up it didn’t detract too much from our overall verdict - 8 out of 10.

Image by p_a_h on Flickr