It's been 15 years since the first inception of the Tuesday Night Open Mic & Jam - and thats worth celebrating!
A night thats seen best friends made, great bands formed, and good times had. Come join us at MK11 to celebrate 15 years of local live music - this week in the big venue!
Words from it's founder Kev Hickman:
A little over 15 years ago, I picked up the phone and called Alex Wesley to see if he fancied starting a jam night with me. At the time, I was simply looking for a bit of steady income. I’d already had some experience, having helped another guitarist run a jam for a few years at The Forester’s Arms in Stony Stratford. When that guitarist stepped away a year earlier, the jams had stopped, and I thought it was worth reviving. I spoke with the landlord at the Forester’s, he agreed, and that’s how our Tuesday jam night was born. I had no idea how long it would last, but it ended up outliving the pub itself (which is now a Domino’s Pizza) before moving through a few venues in Newport Pagnell and eventually finding its permanent home at MK11 - Live Music Venue.
Over the years, different people have helped me keep it going (special shoutout to the legend Alex Preston), and when I stepped back in 2019, the Odyssey lads took it on and did a fantastic job. Looking back, it’s surreal to think of the hundreds of musicians who’ve come through the night: some stepping on stage for the very first time, others jamming with old friends, and many meeting new ones. More than a few bands even started life on that stage. What began as a bit of pocket money has become a real part of the Milton Keynes music scene.
At the end of last year, I came back to help run the night once a month, every second Tuesday, and I’m loving it. It’s brilliant seeing the mix of familiar faces from the early days alongside the new ones who’ve discovered it more recently.
Thanks to everyone who’s been part of the jam over the years, here’s to many more nights of great music and good company.
Words from co-founder Alex Wesley:
15 years ago Kev Hickman and I took over a jam night at what was the Foresters Arms and is now MK11 Jam & Open Mic Sessions.
Lots of people have been involved over the years, it’s been a mainstay for a while and keeping it going post Covid was a challenge but I think it’s now in one of the best places it’s ever been.
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