Open Mic Madness 2007 wrap-up

Last week, Josh Rifkind, man-about-town and manager of the Whigs, asked me to be a judge at his signature event, Open Mic Madness. A six-day bonanza that’s currently in its sixth year at Smith’s Olde Bar, Open Mic Madness is a talent competition where more than 100 bands square off against each another. There are roughly 120 slots, and each act is paired into twos; both acts play a song to determine which one in the bracket advances. (This year there were fewer slots because not enough people signed up.) By Thursday, the one-song elimination cuts the talent in half, much like the NCAA tournament; there are about 32 acts left on Friday; and Saturday is the finals, with about eight acts angling for the title.

Past winners of Open Mic Madness include the Whigs, who are now signed to ATO Records (Dave Matthews’ label); and popular local acts such as Sovus Radio, Bain Mattox and last year’s champion, Dead Confederate. Because of the sheer volume of artists who participate, Open Mic Madness has earned a reputation as the most important rock contest in Atlanta.