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Taters Summerfest 2024

Battle of The Bands Rules

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WHO CAN ENTER:

  1. Any type of musical act.
  2.  Performers under the age of 21 must follow an additional set of restrictions on the night of their performance, see below.

REGISTRATION:

  1. You MUST register via the Band Registration page no later than JUNE 9, 2024..
  2. If you do not register, you will not be allowed to participate in the event. Once the registration deadline has passed, no additional bands will be added.

ROUNDS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

  1. Battles will take place between 3pm and 10pm on Friday June 21, 2024 and again between 1pm and 9pm on Saturday June 22, 2024.
  2. Each band will receive a 45 minute set. You should pre-plan your sets accordingly. Set-times are strictly enforced.
  3. The competition will be set up by each day. There will be bands performing on Friday and bands performing on Saturday. 
  4. Only ONE bands from each performance day will advance to the Finals.
  5. The Finals will consist of the winning band from each day (Friday and Saturday) performing together on stage “battle style” where each band will perform a short song or mashup then the second band will perform. This will continue back and forth for appx 30 minutes.

VOTING & JUDGING:

  1. JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE BY AUDIENCE VOTE using the PickleJar app and web page. Each band will only be allowed one vote per device.
  2. For the Final vote the audience will be asked to cheer the loudest for the winning band. There will also be three judges who, along with the audience participation, will determine which band was the clear winner. If there isn’t a clear winner the audience will be asked again to cheer. 

PRODUCTION ON BATTLE NIGHTS:

  1. All bands and equipment must arrive at event during the designated load in time period which will be emailed to the lead contact from your band no later than one week prior to the event. You must be on time. There are NO excuses for being late. Traffic, flat tires, temporary incarceration, etc., are not acceptable and should be planned for accordingly. Please don’t beg. The rules couldn’t be any clearer.
  2. You ARE permitted to have a sole representative for your band present the band in during the load in period PROVIDED that representative is IN THE BAND, and has loaded in ALL of your equipment. When we say ALL, we mean ALL equipment. Anything less, and you are subject to disqualification.
  3. Once you are accepted to perform, you will be asked to send all names of each member of your band. On the night of your performance, you must have ONLY the members that you listed in registration, and ALL the members you listed in registration, perform. HOWEVER, if you would like to make a change to your lineup for your performance, that change is subject to approval by the event;’s Stage Manager.
  4. Any band that has not arrived at the event more than 10 minutes after the required load-in time will disqualified from the Battle of the Bands. Again, there are no exceptions to this rule. 
  5. There are 15 minute set-changes allotted. In the event that a set-change runs into the bands scheduled time due to technical difficulties, the following time slots will be adjusted and you will get your full 45 minute time slot. If the set change runs long as a result of an elaborate stage setup, it is at the discretion of the stage manager to either allow the full 45 minutes, or to start the clock before you are ready.
  6. No banners or backdrops.
  7. There are no roadies, guitar techs, spouses/significant others, high school buddies or co-workers. (Band members only!) permitted in the backstage green room area. Additionally, band hospitality is strictly for band members only. Anyone caught giving band beer to audience members or anyone other than members of their band will be disqualified from the competition
  8. All bands must use Taters Summerfest sound and light engineers. No exceptions.
  9. Each night there will be a stage manager to assist with set-up and tear-down for each band. The stage manager has the final word on all time challenges.

EQUIPMENT:

  1. Equipment Provided Each Night: 5 piece drum kit, 3 cymbal stands, hi-hat stand, snare drum (snare stand provided) and single bass drum pedal, all mics and mic cables.
  2. The use of the provided drum kit is mandatory. If you would like to add to the kit you may do so. Please notify the stage manager at check-in about your intentions.
  3. You need to bring: Cymbals (you may want to bring an extra cymbal stand just in case), Hi-Hat Cymbal, Throne, Sticks, Double Bass Pedal (if required), Guitars, Amps, DI Boxes and anything and everything you would need for your show other than what is provided. Not clear about something? Don’t wait until the night of the show…ask us in advance, and then everyone’s happy.
  4. You may bring your own snare drum if you like.
  5. Anyone caught stealing, tampering with or removing any of the Battle of the Bands gear or equipment will be disqualified and subject to prosecution.
  6. Anyone damaging any equipment are responsible for replacing the equipment at regular price within 10 business days.

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. Each band’s first round performance date and time will be provided no later than June 10, 2024. 
  2. Bands cannot switch performance times once the competition has started. If you have a scheduling conflict you must let us know once we accept your application.
  3. In the event that you cannot play on your scheduled date, although you cannot be rescheduled once the competition has begun, you must notify us as soon as you know. Not showing up and not bothering to call will prevent another local band from being able to enter. And, it’s just kind of a bad look for you.
  4. If someone in your band gets kicked out of the event on the night of your performance, your band will disqualified. 
  5. Underage band members are only allowed in the event while they are setting up and playing. We will have a designated area for them to hang before their set. Unfortunately, this is the law of Kentucky. 
  6. No family members, friends, etc. under the age of 21 are permitted to enter. Valid, Government issued ID is required to enter the venue. Expired and paper ID’s are not accepted. No exceptions.

MARKETING & PROMOTION:

  1. Each band will be given 2 free tickets for the night of your performance. Please send the names we should add to the guest list no later than 2 days prior to the start of the event. 
  2. Bands are encouraged to promote the via all channels. Critical Mass is good, let’s all work together. . Also, if you bring a ton of people to your show, and your fans are going crazy, this can only enhance the overall crowd’s perception of your performance.

PRIZES:

  1. Grand Prize — A MINIMUM of $2,500 but up to $10,000 cash and a live interview on PickleJar Up All Night, a national radio show heard on over 50 stations across the United States.
  2. 2nd Place – A MINIMUM of $500 but up to $1,000 cash
Good luck to all the bands!