Wed 8/3 @ 7-10PM
Like everything else, singer/songwriter/guitarist/promoter Brent Kirby’s twice-monthly 10×3 songwriter/band showcase nights, which had been running for nearly a decade, were halted by the pandemic. Now they’re finally back, and at a new venue: the BOP STOP, where they’ll be on a first and third Wednesday schedule instead of weekly as they previously were.
Each evening features a pre-booked lineup of 10 songwriters or bands, each of whom performs three songs of which at least two must be originals. Since 2010, they’ve presented around 2,000 songwriters and bands, giving them a showcase for their own material and giving music fans sated on tribute bands the opportunity to check out the creativity of our local talent.
While 10X3 formerly took place at Brothers Lounge, it stayed closed until recently for remodeling and no longer presents music regularly in its wine bar where the events took place.
“A big part of the 10×3 is moving ten acts through the stage quickly to keep the momentum of the show,” says Kirby. “In order to do that, a full PA and backline of guitar and bass amps, drums, and piano is required. The Bop Stop, with its full professional backline, Steinway grand piano, listening room vibe, great sight lines, and central location offered the ideal setting for a newly revamped version of the 10×3.”
Kirby’s also planning a return to theme nights which celebrated a particular artist or gave participants a prompt to write a new song. “I have lots of ideas for themes, and I’m definitely going to lean harder into encouraging songwriters to create more because I think it’s a challenging thing to do, and the songs they end up writing and sharing with their audience are fantastic and unique,” he says.
Musicians who’d like to participate in a future 10×3 evening should email Kirby at THE10X3@GMAIL.COM or go to https://brentkirby.com/bk10x3 to get on his schedule. It’s free to come listen.