On the 13th March, the Music Department Society and Octagon Records, two University of Sheffield societies, brought together their audiences for a big open mic night at the Dorothy Pax in Victoria Quays.
Against the backdrop of the Dorothy Pax’s vibrant staging, the night brought a dazzling showcase of talent, with nearly 20 acts taking centre stage. The night was truly a testament to the rich music scene Sheffield has to offer, from Phoebe McKernon’s improvised harp and loop pedal performance to the dad-rock-infused banjo music from Jim the All Night Chemist, and even beautiful spoken word poetry from Kashish Fraz. Original compositions were championed on the night, including existing releases from Tamas Varga and Arthur Scrivener and new tracks from artists like Dylan Morris and Leo Howard-Cofield.
As well as facilitating some unforgettable performances, the event gave students an opportunity to gain vital experience with events organisation, venue management, live sound engineering, and so much more.
A much-loved venue among the society’s members, the Music Department Society set out to create an open mic-style event at the Dorothy Pax following the success of their Christmas cabaret event.
Octagon Records is a pioneering student-run record label that champions original music from across the university. They have released two singles so far with many more still to come this semester, their weekly open mic at the University Arms also serves as a hub for emerging talent throughout the city. The Music Department Society is a cornerstone of the university’s music community and works to bring together musicians throughout the university, arranging various events and creating new opportunities for them to collaborate and perform. With help from Octagon Records, Neil McSweeney, and the university music department, the society managed to secure government funding to help put on the event.
Photo: the Mycelium Network photographed by Dylan Morris
