Home / Arts and Entertainment / Bournemouth's Arts Scene Ignites: Open Mic Nights Thrive
Bournemouth's Arts Scene Ignites: Open Mic Nights Thrive
25 Oct
Summary
- Jack Townsend and Yannick Manhica run OPB Studios' open mic nights.
- Events connect young singers, poets, dancers, designers, and DJs.
- Bournemouth Square hosted the event for 17 weeks in Summer 2025.
Young talents in Bournemouth are experiencing a creative renaissance through the open mic nights hosted by OPB Studios. Founded by friends Jack Townsend, 21, and Yannick Manhica, 26, the initiative, named OPB for orange, pink, and blue and opulence, passion, and bravery, aims to connect emerging artists.
The project has evolved significantly since its inception six years ago. After a successful 17-week run in Bournemouth Square during the summer of 2025, OPB Studios has returned to its roots, hosting events in an underground speakeasy bar this October. These gatherings attract a diverse array of creatives, including singers, rappers, DJs, poets, and comedians from across Hampshire and Dorset.
Participants describe the atmosphere as welcoming and inclusive, a stark contrast to past experiences of rejecting their hometown. The open mic nights have fostered a sense of belonging and are credited with revitalizing Bournemouth's cultural landscape. As one artist noted, music has the power to unite people and offer new perspectives, contributing to a positive shift in the town's artistic community.
