|
|
Festival Structure
The Surface Unsigned Festival is an annual music industry event providing a gateway for artists to perform on international stages in front of industry representatives. The Festival brings together all aspects of the
UK
music industry and is a major event in the unsigned music calendar.
|
Initial Sign Up and Meeting
To sign up to Surface Unsigned you must fill in the application form which you can find on our website. Please make sure that you fill in all the relevant spaces; we will require all band members’ details including email and contact numbers. Don't worry, we promise not to pass any details to any other organizations - all your information is private and is used by us only.
Once we have received your online application we will contact you by email to confirm we have received all the relevant information. We will then look closely at your application and decide if your band is right for Surface Unsigned. If you are successful we will invite you to a local meeting with your area manager; at this meeting the area managers will go through the festival in detail and book you onto the event. Which night we book you on will depend on the age of the band and the genre of music. The stage manager will also take down all the technical information about your band – this info will be used by the sound engineer at sound checks on the day of the gig.
Suitability of entry will be decided on many factors, however as a general guide to what Surface Unsigned will be looking for, please bear in mind the following points:
|
| 1. |
The purpose of this festival is to find the next big thing in the UK band scene. You should be equipped, organized, ready and willing to perform on international stages in front of Music Industry legends and artist and repertoire (A&R) representatives (the division of a record label that is responsible for scouting and developing talent).
|
| 2. |
An important part of this festival is not only showcasing your talent on stage but also demonstrating your ‘off stage’ skills – personality, ability to self-promote, originality of material, relevance, look etc.
|
| 3. |
Please make sure Surface Unsigned can find as much information about your band as possible via the internet. If you have a website please make sure you have music, photos, gig dates and news about your band. “MySpace” provides an excellent way to showcase this information.
|
| 4. |
An extremely important part of entry to the Surface Unsigned Festival is the support structure that exists around your band. Record companies consider a bands’ fan base extremely important; after all it is your fans that will buy your records and in turn provide revenue for you and your record company. We ask all bands to ensure you have a minimum fan base of 30 strong as each band will be required to bring with them a minimum of 25 people to support their event.
|
|
If your band is chosen to play the bookers will book you onto a night; which night we book you on will depend on the age of the band and the genre of music. The stage manager will also take down all the technical information about your band – this info will be used by the sound engineer at sound checks on the day of the gig.
Stage 1 - Your first showcase
In the first round seven bands per night play a 20 minute set of original material; four of which will proceed to the second round. Surface Unsigned will provide a fully equipped stage, technical organisation and promotion for the show. For technical information on equipment and back line please see FAQs.
Stage 2 - Your second showcase
In the second round seven bands per night play a 20 minute set of original material; four of which will proceed to the semi-final showcase. Surface Unsigned will provide a fully equipped stage, technical organisation and promotion for the show. For technical information on equipment and back line please see FAQs.
Stage 3 - Your semi-final showcase
In the semi-final round seven bands per night play a 20 minute set of original material; one of which will proceed to the Regional Showcase.
Runners up positions: There will an opportunity for two bands from the semi-finals to progress to the regional showcase that previously were not selected by the judges. These two bands will be decided after all of the regional finals have finished and will be given a ‘second chance’ based on their performances throughout the Festival.
Stage 4 - Your regional final showcase
The regional final showcase will be an all day event. At the regional final showcase fourteen bands play a 25 minute set of original material; four of which will proceed to the national final.
Judging: The judging will consist entirely of a professional jury.
Stage 5 - Your national final showcase
Bands that reach the Surface Unsigned National Showcase will have achieved something very special. They will have the opportunity of an industry showcase performing in front of a panel of Music Industry legends and artist and repertoire (A&R) representatives (the division of a record label that is responsible for scouting and developing talent).
Judging: The judging will consist entirely of a professional jury. The judges will decide the best bands and musicians. These will then receive prizes from Surface Unsigned and our sponsors.
|
