The Alma is a much-loved former brewery-tap pub at 26 Russell Court, just off Hills Road near Cambridge city centre, and it's the long-running home of the Songsmith Sessions — a singer-songwriter open mic on the third Sunday of each month from 7:30pm, presented by Ezio Lunedei and compered by Tom Dalpra. Entry is always free. The sessions have run since 2011 and focus on acoustic and electro-acoustic performance — original material very much welcome. There's a house PA, so the standing advice is "just bring your instrument and plug in and play". The Alma is also a proper local: six well-kept real ales, a good pub menu, free wi-fi, a Thursday quiz, and three big screens for the football and rugby. Call 01223 316722 to confirm the next Songsmith date.
Cambridge · Every 3rd Sunday of the month · No fee listed
Russell Court's sunday-night free open mic at The Alma — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
Next night: Sun 15 Nov. Kick-off 19:30, sign-up from 19:00. 15-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
Sundays
| Night | Every 3rd Sunday of the month |
| Sign-up | 19:00 walk-in |
| Slot | 15 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · all ages |
| Backline | PA provided |
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Host | Ezio Lunedei & Tom Dalpra |
| Status | Verified running |
| Last checked | 26 Sept 2026 |
| Checked against | Venue website |
Cambridge CB2 1HW
The nearest station is Cambridge (rail station), about 15 minutes' walk away.
| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | TBC |
| Guitar amp | TBC |
| Bass amp | TBC |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | TBC |
| In-house engineer | TBC |
The Alma on Russell Court is home to the Songsmith Sessions, a long-running singer-songwriters' open mic held every third Sunday of the month from 7.30pm. Presented by Ezio Lunedei and compered by Tom Dalpra, it is now well into its sixteenth year and is free to play or just to listen. Original songs are preferred but the room isn't strict about it, and everybody who comes to play gets to play. There's a house PA - bring your instrument, plug in and go. A welcoming, songwriter-focused room at a proper real-ale pub.
The Alma is a much-loved former brewery-tap pub at 26 Russell Court, just off Hills Road near Cambridge city centre, and it's the long-running home of the Songsmith Sessions — a singer-songwriter open mic on the third Sunday of each month from 7:30pm, presented by Ezio Lunedei and compered by Tom Dalpra. Entry is always free. The sessions have run since 2011 and focus on acoustic and electro-acoustic performance — original material very much welcome. There's a house PA, so the standing advice is "just bring your instrument and plug in and play". The Alma is also a proper local: six well-kept real ales, a good pub menu, free wi-fi, a Thursday quiz, and three big screens for the football and rugby. Call 01223 316722 to confirm the next Songsmith date.
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The Alma Open Mic
Russell Court's sunday-night free open mic at The Alma — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
- Sunday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 26 Sept
- Last verified
- No fee
- Entry
- 15 min
- Slot length
- Verified
- Listing status
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Alma Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Alma Open Mic runs on the 3rd Sunday of the month at The Alma in Cambridge, starting at 19:30 with sign-up from 19:00. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
The night starts at 19:30 and runs to about 23:00. It's walk-in sign-up, with the list opening at 19:00 - arrive early to get a slot. Each act gets about 15 minutes, so the night holds around 14 acts. A PA is listed; check what else is on stage before you bring a band. Ezio Lunedei & Tom Dalpra hosts the night.
What’s on in Cambridge this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Alma on Russell Court is home to the Songsmith Sessions, a long-running singer-songwriters' open mic held every third Sunday of the month from 7.30pm. Presented by Ezio Lunedei and compered by Tom Dalpra, it is now well into its sixteenth year and is free to play or just to listen. Original songs are preferred but the room isn't strict about it, and everybody who comes to play gets to play. There's a house PA - bring your instrument, plug in and go. A welcoming, songwriter-focused room at a proper real-ale pub.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How The Alma’s Sunday night runs.
Every 3rd Sunday of the month
Sun 15 Nov · Sun 20 Dec · Sun 17 Jan
The Alma provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
Get there by 19:00 for a slot, have your instrument tuned before your turn and keep to about 15 minutes.
Find The Alma
26 Russell Court, Cambridge CB2 1HW
The nearest station is Cambridge (rail station), about 15 minutes' walk away. You'll find The Alma in Russell Court, Cambridge; CB2 1HW is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Six Bells, Bar -OH, The Cambridge Brew House and The Portland Arms
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Sunday Night
Arrive by 19:00 to sign up for a slot. The open mic runs until about 23:00. The Alma provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
How much should paid gigs pay you? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. Part of the Cambridge live music scene.
Common Questions
9 questions people ask before going to Cambridge's The Alma open mic.
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The Alma open mic in brief. The Alma open mic runs every 3rd Sunday of the month from 19:30 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:00 and slots run about 15 minutes. The Alma’s venue page lists its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For another night this week, the open mics near Cambridge are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Cambridge? The GX Index publishes what UK gigs actually pay, by city, band size and venue type, and the GX Index reports set out the methodology and the sample behind every figure. Both are free to read and free to cite.
Keep exploring: the UK gig directory for what's coming up, the venue directory for rooms that book live music, the open mic finder for recurring stage time, and what's on across the UK this week. The blog covers pricing, contracts and getting booked, and about GigXchange explains who runs it and why. Something not right on this page? Tell us — or start on the home page.
Looking for paid gigs, not open mics? See Cambridge gigs or check the going rate.
More rooms near The Alma: Arts Club Cambridge, Earls of Beaconsfield, Golden Hind, Hidden Rooms, High Lodge, Thetford Forest, Hot Numbers Coffee, Kiki, La Raza, MASH, Panton Arms and Six Bells.
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