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Lantern Sessions. Where Brisbane Artists light their spark and the stage

WEEKLY OPEN MICS

Archive Beer Boutique
Stones Corner Hotel

Mondays — 7pm

Archive Beer hosts our Monday Night Acoustic Solo/Duo session — a relaxed, welcoming space for musicians and music lovers alike. Set in Brisbane’s multicultural inner-city hub, West End is known for its creative, artistic and bohemian spirit, and Archive fits right into that vibe.

As West End’s home of late-night entertainment, Archive supports live music seven nights a week with a mix of soloists, bands and DJs. It’s a venue that genuinely backs the local scene, and our Monday sessions are a great way to ease into the week with good tunes, good people and a cold drink.

The Set-Up:

  • Maton EM225 acoustic guitar

  • 2 × 12" FOH speakers

  • 2 × 18" FOH subs

  • 1 × 10" on-stage foldback

  • 2 × mic stands

  • 3 × vocal mics

Wednesdays — 7pm
(Sign-up opens at 6:30pm)

The Stones Corner Hotel hosts our Wednesday Night Open Mic. With a spacious, fully equipped stage that can comfortably handle full bands, it’s the perfect night for established performers and up-and-coming acts wanting to experience a true gig environment.

The Stones Corner Hotel is an iconic local landmark — a place where good food, cold beer and live music have been part of the culture for decades. The venue offers classic pub meals, 16 rotating craft beers on tap, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels lively without being overwhelming. The band room has great sightlines, solid acoustics and plenty of space for both performers and the mid-week crowd that regularly comes through to support local music.

The Set-Up:

  • Maton EM225 acoustic guitar

  • 2 × 12" FOH speakers

  • 2 × 18" FOH subs

  • 3 × dedicated 10" on-stage foldbacks

  • 1 × dedicated 15" drum fill

  • 4 × mic stands

  • 4 × vocal mics

  • Vox AC15

  • Boss Katana 100 MkII

  • Fender Strat

  • 5-string bass (DI’d via SansAmp)

  • Full drum kit including snare, cymbals and sticks

We recommend bringing your own guitars and pedals so you can dial in your own sound.
No BYO amps or drums.

Parking available in local streets

Parking available in hotel carpark, local streets and adjacent busway parking

Feeling comfortable on stage is the key to any performance. We help you get set up, get you sounded checked and make sure you're comfortable and happy with the sound. Once you're happy we're good to go and the stage is yours.

When you sound good, you feel good. When you feel good, you perform great

Each act gets 3 songs (or 15 mins, whichever comes first) to keep the night fair and to minimise the wait time.

Sign up is in person on the night, we don't take pre-bookings (except for under-18s)

Under 18s are allowed to attend when accompanied by and adult. Please get in touch with us on the day you wish to attend so we can reserve you a slot

ABOUT LANTERN SESSIONS


I'm James. I’ve been hosting Open Mic nights since 2012 and have worked as a full-time musician for over a decade.

I wouldn’t be doing music for a living if I hadn’t had the chance to play at open mics in the mid-2000s and early 2010s. Those nights gave me space to hone my skills, make mistakes, and grow without risking my reputation or a gig.

I’m a huge believer in what open mics do for the scene. They’re often the starting point for both covers and original acts, and they’re a great place to network and form lifelong friendships.

I run my nights the opposite way to what I disliked when I was starting out. The sign-up board is public, and there’s no secret list in my pocket where the host’s mates can stroll in late and get bumped ahead of everyone. Egos and favouritism stay at the door — we play in the order on the board.

This isn’t a hobby for me; it’s something I genuinely believe in and dedicate my time to. I want your open mic experience to feel like a proper gig, with professional backline and PA, quality gear, and tasteful lighting.

Photography is another passion of mine, and I like to thank performers who support the night with high-quality photos of them on stage.

ARE YOU READY TO LIGHT UP OUR STAGE?

If you've got any questions get in touch with us below or via 0413 479 501

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book in advance?

No, unfortunately we don't take pre-bookings except for under 18s. Please get in contact with us if you're under 18.

Can I do Poetry/Spoken Word/Comedy?

We're a music based open mic. In the past we have had performers do this but its not always been well received by the audience. I recommend finding the right open mic for you.

How long can I perform for?

Each act gets up to 3 songs or 15 minutes, whichever comes first. Acts are welcome to perform less than 3 songs if they wish. To keep things fair for other acts waiting we have to be strict on this rule.
Eg if your first two songs are 7-8mins in length each unfortunately that will be the end of your set
Even if your songs are short the maximum allowed is 3 per act.

How does sign up work?

All of our nights are sign up on the night. Most of the time the board is filling up before we kick off at 7pm. I recommend getting in early to get a spot

Wednesday at Stones Corner Hotel is usually extremely popular. For this reason to keep sign up fair we open the sign up at 6:30pm. We randomly allocate you a spot as you put your name on the board. This is your spot for the night. This means you can be towards the end of the line and still have a chance for a early slot.