Uniting students through music: The return of Octagon Records’ open mic night

Moving to university can feel like starting over, trying to meet new people and find your place, all while navigating an unfamiliar city.

Fortunately, Octagon Records has made this transition a little easier with its weekly open mic night, offering students with an interest in music a safe space to express themselves freely.

Octagon Records is the University of Sheffield’s own record label, driven by a passionate goal to “make the music industry more accessible to students”. The organisation hosts a variety of events, from open mic nights to its own live lounge sessions, drawing in students from both Sheffield universities.

The laidback atmosphere was the first thing I noticed when attending one of the sessions. It created a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds to perform, regardless of their experience level. Whether singing your own songs or covering a classic, there was no pressure to be perfect.

The vibe is warm and welcoming, for both performers and listeners. Audiences are respectful and enthusiastic, cheering loudly and encouraging the performers to sing more. As one of the committee members noted, it’s the “only place where you get two rounds of applause”.

Speaking about how the sessions have benefitted him, he said: “The real-time feedback has helped me build confidence in my song writing and performing, and played a key role in helping me sign to a record label”.

As there’s no expectation to turn up every week, the turnout can vary each session. However, smaller turnouts can be a bonus, often leading to spontaneous jam sessions where performers can experiment and collaborate with each other.

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I found the highlight of my night to be a rendition of I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. What started as a duet soon turned into a group performance, with more people joining in to sing and add guitar solos. This reinforced the sense of community, creating a beautifully authentic moment that was free of judgement.

These sessions give artists a chance to become more confident in themselves and when performing, whether they’re on stage as a hobby or pursuing music as a career.

The open mic sessions take place every Wednesday at 8.30pm in the upstairs section of the University Arms, and they are open to everyone (even if you just want to watch). There is no requirement to sign up in advance, just show up and join in! A house guitar is provided; however, you are welcome to bring your own instruments.

To stay updated on upcoming events, follow @OctagonRecords on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.