Tuesday nights at Turbo Haüs are synonymous with music and connection, and March 17 was no different. Located minutes away from the Plateau, the cocktail bar is committed to actively supporting the Montreal music scene. Open Haüs Nights give performers the opportunity to show off their skills and connect with other musicians, all in the spirit of enjoying the raw live performance experience.
While the bar is rather small and nearly completely hidden on rue St.-Denis, its intimate atmosphere is offset by its eccentric decor. A massive statue of a surreal, freakish woman greets visitors near the bar’s entryway, while artworks depicting alien-like figures adorn the walls.
A wall separates the seating and bar area from a spacious dance floor and stage. Along the walls, several coat racks are propped up, allowing visitors to enjoy the music in total comfort. At 7:00 p.m., musicians can sign up to perform, with the first act typically taking the stage around 8:00 p.m.
The venue provides a full backline, further encouraging participation. Musicians who may not have their own instruments can join in on the fun, too, or can experiment with a different kind of sound by picking up a new instrument. This setup also alleviates the burden of transporting one’s own equipment. Artists performed a mixture of their own original work and covers, with genres ranging from folk to rap to alternative rock.
The crowd is a melting pot of regulars, new attendees and performers. From the first act, a strong sense of community and camaraderie is felt. As a young duo was on stage, one of the bar’s employees ran into the dancefloor area, requesting a song. Another performer, El Totoso, encouraged audience members to provide feedback on one of his original songs, which he plans to perform to the person to whom he dedicated it. Casual interactions such as these foster the bar’s intimate and inviting atmosphere.
Singer-songwriter Danny Durand, a regular performer at Turbo Haüs’s open mic nights, revealed in an interview with The Tribune that he values the safe space that the venue creates for experimentation. The low-stakes environment allows musicians to take risks without fear of judgment. If a musician slips up, it can be easily brushed off. And since the crowd consists of many regulars, performers grow comfortable with the familiar crowd.
“It’s not a show like at the Bell Centre,” Durand said. “It doesn’t matter if you try something and it doesn’t work.”
Durand also credits the bar’s distinct energy for shaping the style of his performances. The musician recalled feeling inclined to perform his work with a more aggressive tone by leaning into the rock atmosphere within the bar, a tone that strays from his usual folktronica sound.
These open mic nights represent an earnest commitment to live performance and creativity. For instance, there is no advertised setlist. While musicians can take the opportunity to promote their own work, they don’t have to. They’re offered the safety to perform any work just for the sake of having fun and sharing a project with whoever lends their ear. This freedom allows musicians to be authentic and vulnerable in their performance without it feeling too daunting.
“It’s like music is a flower and this is the pot. This is the soil where it grows from,” Durand explained.
In a world dictated by social media algorithms, both well-established and aspiring musicians feel the pressure to constantly adapt to the ever-changing digital world to increase the reach of their work. However, Turbo Haüs’ accessible and nonthreatening space builds community through music in a world that promotes social isolation. Open mic nights remind musicians that there is an audience who will heartily listen to what they have to say.
Open Haüs Nights are held every Tuesday night from 7:00 p.m. to midnight at Turbo Haüs.