Drop the Mic - web banner (1600 x 2000 px) (3).png

Our regular open mic event

FREE for young people interested in music from Southend and the surrounding areas - we welcome those interested in music performance, event hosts, multimedia, live sound, event production and audience members who enjoy live music, to get involved and join the Drop the Mic! community.

LOCATION – Upstairs at The Royal Hotel, 1, High Street, Southend-on-Sea.

  • Workshops and Artist Meet ups: 12pm - 1:45pm

  • Open Mic Registration: 1pm - 1:45pm

  • Open Mic: 2pm - 5pm

If you’ve never been before and are ready to perform at the next open mic, please register below to secure your spot.

Events include the following opportunities:

  • Take part in our open mic suitable for acoustic acts, bands, songwriters, rappers, vocalists and musicians. We will provide; full acoustic drum kit, keys, mics, PA

  • Learn and take part in behind the scenes skills such as live sound, event production, promotions, multimedia and more

  • Co-host an event with guidance from the team & past hosts

  • Hear from professional music artists and industry experts in our segment ‘Drop the Question’

  • Enjoy live music performances

  • Meet others who share an interest in music

Supported by:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ask a Music Artist

 
 

Drop the Question? was requested then introduced by young people who identified a need to meet professional music artists to ask them about their career journey, how they got into music, what a typical week looks like, plus hear other hints and tips about todays industry.

 
 

Past Guest Artists

 

Tom is an accomplished singer-songwriter and the frontman of the indie rock band The Trusted.

Song School Alumni Heidi is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, currently signed to 3BEAT (Universal)

Megan Rose is a singer/songwriter and actor who released her debut EP ‘Brave This’ in September 2018 reaching number 6 in the Apple Country Album Charts.

 
 
 

Drop the Mic! stage at Leigh Folk Festival

 
 
 
 
 

The Drop the Mic project was born back in 2023 at Leigh Folk Festival - the UK’s largest free folk festival. The Drop the Mic stage is now a regular feature at the event, providing young musicians with a further platform to showcase their music skills.

We’ll be returning in 2026 and you can be there too! Sign up to our mailing list below, to be the first to hear how to apply to play. And in the meantime, here’s what some of the Drop the Mic community had to say about the last year: