Review: Open Mic Night, The Birdcage

The Birdcage’s monthly ‘Open Mic Night’ is not what I’m expecting. Those three words conjured up all sorts of weird and wonderful scenario’s in my head. Particularly as the Facebook add called for a “Mexican Cactus Wrangler”, whatever that involves.

Milly Godfrey

The first act is an elderly gentleman, usually heard singing around Castle Mall. Strong and powerful, his rendition of “Somebody to Love” eases in the audience, who are singing along by the chorus. Next comes a bit of Bob Marley – who everyone loves no matter how they try to deny it.

Second up is Milly Godfrey, who silences the room with guitar in hand and a ghostly and enchanting cover of “Youth” by Daughter. Her admitted shyness at the start of the act is completely unnecessary, as is proved by the whoops and cheers as she exits the stage.

Taking a break from singing, Aaron Hudson – Cook takes the stage with a series of one liners that have the audience in hysterics. Think mildly inappropriate, but hilariously funny. He later revealed that this was his first performance, but he’s clearly a natural at making a room giggle.

Aaron Hudson – Cook

The final act before the break comes from someone claiming to be called Terribly Terry the Pterodactyl. Upon taking the stage it is clear that he sadly not a dinosaur, but he does engage the audience with a story about the typical folk found cruising down Dereham road of an evening. Although I have to admit I still don’t really understand it.

Break time – we drink, we smoke, we sit back down.

The first act after the break gets us back into the open mic mood with a cover of “Hurt” by Johnny Cash. The entire audience seems to agree with his claim that if you don’t like the song, then you really don’t know good music. Following “Radio” by Alkaline Trio he plays a song he wrote himself. Clearly full of personal meaning, the entire audience listens and he strums, proving that he didn’t need to be as nervous as he was.

Second comedian of the night, Roary Boughton, has us all in fits once again. Proving that, even as a sophisticated student on a night out, anal jokes are always guaranteed a giggle. Never has a more cautionary tale been told involving beer, vindaloo and a doctors lubed up glove.

The B Roads

The closing act of the night are a guitar and vocalist duo named The B Roads. Performing a song from their new album, Back Behind. The entire audience is silenced by the beautiful combination of their voices, clapping, screaming and cheering as they leave the stage. Think a smaller Noah and the Wale, sans violin.  Definitely a group to look out for, their private gig on Wednesday night is not one to

miss.