Easthampton is a small former mill town in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts that has reinvented itself as one of New England's most creative communities. Its old factory buildings are filled with artists' studios, its main streets host a monthly Art Walk, and its music life punches far above its size: an instrument repair shop that doubles as a beloved open mic venue, a free monthly bluegrass jam and a new jazz jam in a gallery. This guide covers the city's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Easthampton
The land below Mount Tom along the Manhan River was part of the homeland of the Nonotuck people. English colonists began farming it in the 1600s as part of neighboring Northampton, and the settlement became a separate district in 1785 before incorporating as a town in 1809.
Easthampton's transformation came from an unlikely product: buttons. Samuel Williston and his wife Emily built a business making cloth-covered buttons in the 1820s and '30s, which grew into large-scale manufacturing. Williston also founded Williston Seminary (now the Williston Northampton School) in 1841. Dams on the Manhan River created Nashawannuck Pond and powered a cluster of mills producing buttons, elastic webbing, thread and textiles, earning the town a reputation as a small industrial powerhouse.
As the mills closed in the 20th century, Easthampton reinvented itself. In 1996 it adopted a city form of government, and its sprawling brick mill complexes, like Eastworks and the Cottage Street mills, filled with artists, makers, galleries and small businesses. Today the city is known for its thriving arts scene, its Art Walk, and its place in the creative orbit of the nearby Five College area.
The Easthampton Music Scene
Easthampton sits in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, one of New England's richest music regions. Neighboring Northampton is home to the Iron Horse Music Hall and the Academy of Music, the Signature Sounds folk label has deep roots in the area, and the Five Colleges (Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and UMass Amherst) feed a constant stream of players and listeners. The region has produced acts as varied as Dinosaur Jr. and a long line of nationally known folk and Americana songwriters.
Easthampton's own scene is built on community. Easthampton City Arts organizes events and the monthly Art Walk, the nonprofit CitySpace runs performances and a free bluegrass jam in the historic Old Town Hall, and the Luthier's Co-op on Cottage Street has become a hub where musicians come to get guitars repaired by day and play the open mic by night.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Easthampton
- Luthier's Co-op & Backstage Bar (108 Cottage St.) – A stringed-instrument repair shop and store by day, and an all-ages, no-cover music bar by night with open mics, local bands and jazz residencies.
- CitySpace / Blue Room at Old Town Hall (43 Main St.) – A community arts center in the historic town hall that hosts concerts and a monthly bluegrass jam.
- 50 Arrow Gallery (116 Pleasant St., Suite 244) – A gallery in the Eastworks mill building that hosts a monthly jazz jam.
- New City Brewery (Pleasant St.) – A local brewery with music and themed open mics.
- Iron Horse Music Hall and Academy of Music (Northampton) – The region's best-known rooms for touring folk, rock and jazz, about 10 minutes away.
- Calvin Theatre (Northampton) – A restored historic theater for larger touring shows.
Open Mics and Open Jams in Easthampton
For a small city, Easthampton offers a remarkable number of places to play, and the rest of the Pioneer Valley is close by. Below are the standout events, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams in small towns can change with little notice. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
Open Mics
- Luthier's Co-op Open Mic (108 Cottage St.) – Tuesdays and Wednesdays, roughly 7:00–10:00 p.m. Never a cover; all ages; beer and wine available. Open mics were the co-op's first regular events, and demand grew so much that a second weekly night was added to handle the overflow. Expect a full sign-up sheet and a warm crowd of regulars. Music and poetry welcome.
- New City Brewery CULT Themed Open Mic – Has run on the last Tuesday of the month, 7:00–10:00 p.m. (sign-up at 6:30 p.m.), with a different theme each month.
Jams
- CitySpace Bluegrass: Pickers, Singers & Strummers (Blue Room at Old Town Hall, 43 Main St.) – First Saturday of every month, 4:00–7:00 p.m., during Easthampton's Art Walk. Free, all ages, everyone welcome. Hosted by bluegrass musician David Clark Carroll, founder of the progressive bluegrass band Daring Coyotes and a former regional director of the California Bluegrass Association. Newcomers can arrive at 3:30 p.m. to meet David and learn how to join the circle. Bring your favorite Bill Monroe and Stanley Brothers tunes.
- Wind & Reed Jazz Jam (50 Arrow Gallery, 116 Pleasant St., Suite 244) – Monthly, 7:00–10:00 p.m. (launched in 2026). A professional house band plays a 30-minute opening set, followed by a 90-minute open jam with a first-come, first-served sign-up list. All levels, styles and "weird instruments" welcome. Suggested donation $5 plus tips. Organizers recommend brushing up with the Real Book.
- Pamela Means Jazz Project Residency at Luthier's Co-op – Third Thursdays. A free monthly jazz night that's a great place to meet local jazz players.
Nearby in the Pioneer Valley
- Northampton Jazz Workshop – A long-running series featuring a guest artist (recent guests include Giacomo Gates, Chris Cheek and Camille Thurman) followed by an open jam session; recently held on Wednesdays in Amherst.
- Bishop's Lounge (41 Strong Ave., Northampton) – Has hosted a weekly open mic.
- Opa Opa Steakhouse & Brewery (Southampton) – Has hosted second and fourth Monday open mics.
Easthampton Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Luthier's Co-op | All Styles |
| Tuesday (last) | CULT Themed Open Mic (7 p.m.) | New City Brewery | All Styles |
| Wednesday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Luthier's Co-op | All Styles |
| Wednesday (monthly) | Northampton Jazz Workshop (guest + jam) | Amherst | Jazz |
| Thursday (3rd) | Pamela Means Jazz Project | Luthier's Co-op | Jazz |
| Saturday (1st) | CitySpace Bluegrass Jam (4 p.m.) | Old Town Hall | Bluegrass |
| Monthly | Wind & Reed Jazz Jam (7 p.m.) | 50 Arrow Gallery | Jazz |
Tips for Playing Easthampton's Open Mics and Jams
- Arrive early at Luthier's. The sign-up sheet fills quickly, especially on Wednesdays.
- Make a day of Art Walk. The first-Saturday bluegrass jam coincides with galleries and studios opening their doors downtown.
- Get your guitar set up. It's hard to beat playing an open mic in the same room where luthiers can adjust your action.
- Explore the Valley. Northampton, Amherst and Holyoke add many more stages within 15 minutes.
Helpful Local Resources
- Easthampton City Arts (easthamptoncityarts.com) – The city's arts calendar and Art Walk information.
- CitySpace (cityspaceeasthampton.org) – Bluegrass jam and event details.
- New England Public Media community calendar (nepm.org) – Western Massachusetts event listings.
- Valley Advocate (valleyadvocate.com) – Pioneer Valley arts coverage, including open mic guides.
