Once every month on Wednesday evenings, the Bank of New Hampshire Stage in Concord comes alive as the musicians of Andrew North and the Rangers band scatter across the stage to set up their instruments.

Drum kits are checked, guitars tuned, and soundchecks completed, while people of all ages shuffle in from across New Hampshire — and even Massachusetts — each hoping for their chance to perform at the open mic.

For Andrew North who plays the keys in the local band, open mic nights were the places where he evolved as a musician. While it took him until age 32 to feel confident enough to perform solo at open mic nights, those were the places he would play new songs and test them out.

“I would be so nervous, my hands shaking — even if it was just the bartender watching,” he recalled, thinking back to the early days of playing new songs in nearly empty bars and clubs. “I had to work through that, and now, I’m pretty comfortable on stage.”

Now, North is committed to giving up-and-coming artists a unique opportunity – a real stage, with a live band to back them up. No matter the performer’s age or instrument, Andrew North and the Rangers are ready to step in as support, providing rhythm, harmony and confidence to musicians who need it.

More than just an open mic night, it’s a supportive space where artists of all levels can experiment, grow and share their work under the stage lights.

There is a vibrant mix of artists at these open mic nights, from a mother-daughter duo that signs to a group of doctors playing music in garages, as well as a performer with a theremin — a wooden box synthesizer with two antennas that creates eerie, haunting sounds.

“The community piece is what keeps us doing this and like putting a fair amount of effort into it,” said North. “We really want to get them on stage and want to present something really inclusive that really resonates with people. Not every music scene is like that. Some are really cutthroat, competitive.”

Open mic nights organized by North and his bandmates operate like a lottery system. Participants place their names in a glass bowl, and names are drawn at random. Each performer receives a slot for either three songs or 15 minutes, whichever comes first.

North explained that this approach ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to take the stage and showcase their talent.

The band has been hosting open mic nights for at least three years, but it has been one year since they began these events at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage. To celebrate this milestone, the band is hosting a special ticketed show featuring some of their favorite artists from the open mic nights on Nov. 2.

The lineup will include an acoustic duo, two solo performers and two bands.

North appreciates having a vibrant community of musicians and eagerly anticipates each month’s open mic night, which has become a non-negotiable event on his calendar.

“I get to watch new people play music, watch some of my favorite players play music, and just sort of celebrate the creativity that we have here,” said North. “We have a lot of support in doing it.”