Westfield is the "Whip City," a historic river town in the Pioneer Valley west of Springfield and home of Westfield State University. Players will find Thursday-night jams and a monthly open mic at a busy brewery, a spoken-word series downtown and, in summer, open mics on the town green. Springfield, Northampton and Easthampton add many more stages within half an hour. This guide covers Westfield's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Westfield
The fertile Westfield River valley was home to the Woronoco people. English settlers established a trading post in the 1630s, and Westfield was incorporated in 1669. For a time it was the westernmost English settlement in Massachusetts, and it endured attacks during King Philip's War in 1675.
In the 1800s, Westfield became the whip-making capital of the world. At its peak, dozens of factories turned out buggy whips that were sold around the globe, earning the city its enduring nickname, the "Whip City." Westfield also produced cigars, paper, bicycles and organs. In 1838, the state founded a teacher-training school here that grew into Westfield State University.
The arrival of the automobile ended the whip trade, but Westfield adapted with other manufacturing and with Barnes Air National Guard Base. Today it's a city of about 40,000, known for Stanley Park's gardens and carillon tower, the Westfield River and a revitalized downtown.
The Westfield Music Scene
Westfield's music life is community-centered. Westfield State University offers music programs and campus concerts, and Stanley Park's carillon tower and summer events add a distinctive sound to the city. Downtown, the WOW Center hosts arts and spoken-word events, and ArtWorks Westfield has run summer open mics on Park Square Green.
Bright Ideas Brewing's Westfield taproom has become the city's busiest music spot, with weekend bands, Grateful Dead-style nights, a monthly open mic and Thursday jams. Springfield, 15 minutes east, adds Symphony Hall, MGM Springfield's outdoor stage and many more clubs, while Northampton and Easthampton offer the Pioneer Valley's deep folk and indie scene.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Westfield
- Bright Ideas Brewing (109 Apremont Way) – A brewery with live music several nights a week, a monthly open mic and Thursday jams.
- WOW Center (105 Elm St.) – A downtown arts space with a monthly spoken-word open mic.
- Park Square Green – Downtown's green, with a pavilion for summer music and open mics.
- Stanley Park – Gardens and a carillon tower, with summer concerts.
- Springfield venues – Symphony Hall, the MassMutual Center and local clubs, about 15 minutes east.
- Luthier's Co-op (108 Cottage St., Easthampton) – A repair shop and bar with two weekly open mics, about 20 minutes north.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Westfield
Westfield's open stages center on Bright Ideas Brewing, and the rest of the Pioneer Valley is close by. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Brewery schedules change month to month. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
In Westfield
- Ted's Backroom Jams at Bright Ideas Brewing (109 Apremont Way) – Thursdays, roughly 6:00–8:00 p.m., on scheduled dates. Check the brewery's events page.
- Open Mic Night at Bright Ideas Brewing (109 Apremont Way) – Roughly monthly on a Thursday, 6:00–8:00 or 9:00 p.m.
- Open Mic at WOW (105 Elm St.) – Second Thursdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. A free open mic for prose and poetry (3–5 minutes per reader), produced with the Straw Dog Writers Guild and Whip City Wordsmiths. A good stage for lyricists and spoken-word artists.
- Open Air Open Mic on Park Square Green – ArtWorks Westfield has run summer Monday open mics at the green's pavilion (registration 5:30 p.m., performances 6:00 p.m.). Check for a current season.
Nearby in the Pioneer Valley
- Luthier's Co-op Open Mics (108 Cottage St., Easthampton) – Tuesdays and Wednesdays, roughly 7:00–10:00 p.m. Never a cover; all ages.
- CitySpace Bluegrass Jam (Old Town Hall, 43 Main St., Easthampton) – First Saturdays, 4:00–7:00 p.m. Free.
- Northampton Jazz Workshop – A guest-artist set followed by an open jam session, recently on Wednesdays in Amherst.
Westfield-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday (summer, confirm) | Open Air Open Mic (6 p.m.) | Park Square Green, Westfield | All Styles |
| Tuesday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Luthier's Co-op, Easthampton | All Styles |
| Wednesday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Luthier's Co-op, Easthampton | All Styles |
| Thursday (scheduled dates) | Ted's Backroom Jams (6 p.m.) | Bright Ideas Brewing, Westfield | Open Jam |
| Thursday (monthly) | Open Mic Night (6 p.m.) | Bright Ideas Brewing, Westfield | All Styles |
| Thursday (2nd) | Spoken-Word Open Mic (7 p.m.) | WOW Center, Westfield | Poetry / Prose |
| Saturday (1st) | Bluegrass Jam (4 p.m.) | CitySpace, Easthampton | Bluegrass |
Tips for Playing Westfield-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Watch the brewery calendar. Bright Ideas posts jams and open mics a month or two ahead.
- Head up the valley. Easthampton and Northampton have some of the region's busiest open stages.
- Plan for winter. Hilltown snow can affect travel; check for cancellations.
Helpful Local Resources
- Bright Ideas Brewing (brightideasbrewing.com) – Westfield events calendar.
- Arts Hub of Western Mass (artshubwma.org) – Regional arts and open mic listings.
- The Westfield News (thewestfieldnews.com) – Local arts and community events.
- Explore Western Mass (explorewesternmass.com) – Regional event calendar.
