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Text Voting Terms & Conditions

How to text
To vote for your favourite band simply text the area of the event followed by the band's unique number to 64343. For example:

"Manchester 2345" to 64343
"Birmingham 3456" to 64343
"Cardiff 4567" to 64343
"Bristol 5678" to 64343
"London 6789" to 64343

Please remember to include a space between the area and the band's unique number otherwise we will not be able to use your vote. All band numbers must contain four digits (i.e. 1234).

To find band numbers, results and write ups please check out the regional mini-site in your area:
more>>

Why should I text vote?
The text vote was set up for fans who cannot make it to the gig(s) but still want to show their support for a band.

The Surface Unsigned Festival voting system consists of a ratings structure.

Stage 1 and 2 of the Festival:
Ratings can be gained through audience votes, text votes, musicians’ votes and industry votes.
1 text vote = 1 rating
1 audience vote = 5 ratings
1 musicians’ vote = 20 ratings
1 industry vote = 30 ratings
The four bands with the highest total ratings go through to play the next stage of the Festival.

Semi-Final Showcases:
At each event the 4 bands with the highest ratings will be considered by our judge(s) who will then decide on the band(s) for the Regional Showcase.

At the Semi-Final Showcases Ratings can be gained through audience votes and text votes:
1 text vote = 1 rating
1 audience vote = 5 ratings

See Festival Structure for further details.

Regional Showcases:
At the Regional Showcase 14 bands will play in front of a panel of independent industry guests. Bands will progress by a combination of text votes and the decisions made by industry guests. See Festival Structure for further details.

Surface Unsigned National Charts: There will be an opportunity for two further bands to progress to the National Showcase based upon the highest Surface ratings throughout the Festival (charts). After all the Regional Showcases are finished the top two bands in the Surface Unsigned National Charts will be selected to play in the National Showcase.

National Showcase:
The National Showcase will be a 2-day Festival held at the O2-complex in London.
At the National Showcase 16 bands will play in front of an independent industry panel (Surface Unsigned Committee).  The prize winners of the festival will be decided by a combination of text votes and by the committee of industry guests.

Surface Unsigned Terms and Conditions for Text Voting
1. Voting is only open to residents of the United Kingdom. Voting signifies acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. 10 (ten) pence from every text will go to Oxfam.
Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International. Registered Charity No. 202918
2.

Voting is available each day starting from 10th November 2008 until the end of the National Showcase (10.00pm) on 27th September 2009.

Stages 1 & 2, Semi-Final and Regional Final Showcases:
Text votes are counted at the end of each gig via direct online checking. After the vote has been counted text votes received for bands that have not progressed will not be registered but may still be charged for in accordance with these terms and conditions. If a band progresses through to the next stage then the text vote count will be reset and the vote count will commence immediately after the results have been announced.

National Showcase:
Text votes are counted at the end of the National Showcase (10.00pm) on 27th September 2009. Text votes cast after the vote has been counted will not be registered but may still be charged for in accordance with these terms and conditions.
3. Each text vote cast will cost 1 pound (£1.00) plus your service provider's standard text message rate. The total cost is dependant on your network.
4. You must be 16 years or over to use this service.
5. You may vote as many times as you like, however we do recommend you set yourself a limit and text vote responsibly.
6.

Surface Unsigned Festival LTD reserves the right to discount votes if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that fraudulent bulk votes have been cast.
7. Surface Unsigned Festival LTD may suspend, withdraw or re-set voting at its sole discretion.
8. Please ask permission from the bill payer before voting and please text carefully. All charges will be deducted from your available credit time if you are a pre pay customer or will appear on your monthly statement if you pay monthly.
9. Surface Unsigned Festival LTD does not accept any responsibility for any network congestion, technical failure or other problem in any telephone line, network, system, provider or otherwise which results in any text not being properly recorded or received.
10. If a band drops out of the event, any text votes cast for that band will not be counted, but may still be charged for in accordance with these terms and conditions.
11. There will be no refunds given on text votes cast if a band drops out of the event.
12. To the extent permitted by law, Surface Unsigned Festival LTD excludes all warranties (whether express or implied), representations and its liability regarding this voting mechanic.
13. If you need to get in touch with us please send an email to info@surfaceunsigned.co.uk or contact us on 0800 434 6076.

To bands taking part in the Surface Unsigned Festival:
Please remember to add the following terms and conditions whenever advertising your text vote number:

16+. Texts cost £1.00 plus standard network charges. Please get permission from the bill payer. Customer services: info@surfaceunsigned.co.uk or contact us on 0800 434 6076




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