Find an open mic in Melbourne
To find an open mic comedy gig in Melbourne, you're on the site for it
Go to https://www.deadfunny.club/au/melbourne
- Use the filters to select the day, etc...
- Click the "Map" button to get a map of all the gigs in the city
- Click the calendar icon to get the event in your google calendar
- You can favorite a room and then just click favorites to only show those gigs if you sign in
- If a gig has incorrect info, submit a fix by clicking the pencil button
There is also a special page that only lists gigs that are ONLY open or mixed gigs.
This means they are shows that you do not need to per-book for.
https://www.deadfunny.club/au/melbourne/open-mic-comedy-nights
This should cover Melbourne, and also a lot of the other major cities in Australia are also covered if you are looking for an open mic in Sydney, or an open mic in Perth for example.
This is a listing site, and there can at times be out of date information, please do your due diligence and look up the socials and gigs that are listed before blindly turning up to a closed show.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a great city to start open mic comedy in, there's many different rooms all over the CBD that host nights,
The key is getting out there, and finding out what shows there are by talking and networking with people.
So find a gig that is listed, put it in your calendar and go to it!
FAQ
Network network network
You want to network at the gig.
In particular find the master of ceremonies (MC) as they are the one running the show, they will know the rules and how to get on the show.
I'm not ready
Write some material and go watch a show, say hello to an MC who is running the show
What is the light?
The light is the term given to the signal that your time is up.
Normally but not always a MC or someone will give you 2 lights.
- The warning light saying you have x amount of time left
- The light telling you you are over time!
You do not want to "Run the light" that is going beyond your allotted time, that would be going past the second light. Running the light will reflect poorly on you to other comedians.
So remember, first light really means to wrap it up, second light means GET OFF THE STAGE!
How much time do I need?
Most Melbourne shows will give you around 5 mins.
I don't know if I have 5 mins of material!
Do not worry, just do the amount of material you have, it's much better to go under on the time, the MC will not mind at all
I have way more than 5 mins, really I could do an hour.
Yeah, no. Respect in this scene is earned by putting in the time to get good, no matter how hilarious you think you are.
Here’s your reality check: an MC isn’t going to randomly give you more time over everyone else.
Every single person on that lineup deserves their spot in the limelight just as much as you do, if not more.
DO NOT RUN THE LIGHT
Can I just tell jokes that are not my own
No, you will get called out and it does not help you grow in creating your own material. Get out of here Carlos Mencia!
Can I bring my notes on stage or read off my phone?
Yes, it's an open mic so no one is expecting you to be perfect
What happens if I bomb?
You can reflect on why you bombed, and then do another gig. Everyone bombs
How long until the paid gigs?
Keep your day job, it's going to be awhile.
Should I bring friends?
Friends are great for support but you do not want to burn them out.
In the end an open mic is much like going to the gym, you need to go everyday, plan well, eat well, prepare, and turn up. It's great to have a cheer squad pushing you but it would be unrealistic and cruel to ask friends to turn up everyday for you.
Can I be offensive?
Each room has its own specific rules.
As a general rule of thumb: if you are unsure whether a joke is appropriate, don’t say it. Spend some time in the room first to see what flies and what doesn't.
The riskier the topic, the harder the joke is to pull off. If you’re just starting out, take it easy.
While you aren't strictly banned from writing about intense or triggering topics, dropping highly offensive material just to shock the room and "walk the crowd" is a quick way to get banned.
Certain topics are RISKY for newbies because you don't yet have the professional skill to navigate them. If you mess up a sensitive joke, you don't come across as being funny to the audience you will just come across as being offensive, which can ruin the night and get the entire gig canceled.