Advertising and French senior and music coordinator at UAB Liv Bertaud said this event helps create a musical environment where students can connect with each other.

“East Lansing is a really, really cool music scene, but it's kind of hard to find if you don't know where to look,” Bertaud said. “So I do find a lot of people who are trying to find that community, and they come here and they're able to meet folks that bring them into that space they want to be in.”

Events like Open Mic Night can be important for both performers and audience members for different reasons. Professional and public writing freshman Conner Larsen said this event is important because it allows individuals to express themselves as performers.

“I think it's important for people to get their own music out there, to kind of explore themselves on stage,” Larsen said. “It's a completely different thing playing music in a dorm room versus playing it on stage in front of people. It's helpful for the artists to kind of practice being on stage, it's also nice for students to hear other talented artists here at MSU.”

Larsen said this event also attracts different kinds of talented individuals, which makes the event enjoyable not just as a performer, but as an audience member.

“I like hearing music from all walks of life,” Larsen said. “There's musicians, there's poets, there's people lip-syncing Chappell Roan... there's a lot going on, and it's fun to hang out and just watch.”

Nursing freshman and audience member Emery McCuster said Open Mic Night is special because it provides a platform for students to have fun.

“I think it's important because not everyone wants to take their talents to a very, super high level,” McCuster said. “I feel like just doing what you enjoy, not having to get anything out of it, but just to make you happy is what makes its impact.”

Bertaud said this event also is a place where students can express themselves without the fear of being judged by others. Larsen took this opportunity to perform in a safe space and at a convenient location for MSU students to promote his new album that's being released in two weeks. 

“I just like the people here at MSU, I like the MSU Union," Larsen said. "There aren't a lot of open mic opportunities in East Lansing, so it's nice to see it here on campus, where I can easily take the bus or walk.”

Guests like McCuster chose to attend this event because of the variety of talent displayed.

“I feel like I liked all the different like varieties of music and talents,” McCuster said. “It's just something different, (and) I'm not usually exposed to something like that in my everyday life.”