RULES & REGULATIONS

Event Description:

This will be the first annual Rockbridge Battle of the Bands! The event will take place on the stage at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista, VA on Saturday, August 6th.

This event will be a showcase of all of the amazing musical talent in Rockbridge. This community-oriented event will include free admission and a family-friendly atmosphere. We plan on having food, drinks and engaging activities for children.

This event is a fundraiser for Main Street Buena Vista, an organization dedicated to revitalizing downtown Buena Vista, VA.

Though this is only the first year, the marketing effort will be expansive and comprehensive. Over time, we hope this event grows to become a multi-day festival gathering campers, attendees, vendors and, most importantly, music acts from around the region and state! Awesome festivals like Lockn, Red Wing Roots and others all started somewhere!

This year’s event is an opportunity for local musicians to give back to the community by fundraising for Buena Vista’s revitalization, contributing to a new signature event, and throwing a heck of a party!

If you have any questions, please email Jamie Goodin at contact@mainstreetbuenavista.org.

Application Process:

*Applications for the first annual Rockbridge Battle of the Bands 2022 Battle will be released on February 21st, 2022 at https://www.rockbridgebattle.com/.

The application form can be found here: https://bit.ly/rockbridgebattleofthebandsapp.

All artists considering applying must meet the following requirements:

There is no application fee.
All musical genres are welcome, including both original material & covers.
Bands from & around Rockbridge are welcome to apply.
All groups MUST submit at least 1, but no more than 3 original music samples (video or audio will suffice) in their application. Any quality is acceptable
All groups MUST be able to perform a 15-minute set containing originals or cover songs for the event.
All groups MUST be able to set up their equipment in a maximum time of 15 minutes and tear down in a maximum time of 10 minutes during Battle. A PA and sound engineer will be provided by the event.
The winner of the event has the option to perform a 15-minute set.

Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

Selection Process:

Once all applications are reviewed, the Rockbridge Battle of the Bands planning committee will select 8 groups that will participate in the event. The selection process will involve the committee listening to the music samples from each group. Each member will then vote on which artists they believe should be in the event. The 8 groups with the most votes will be selected for the event.

Groups selected to participate in the event on the following criteria:

Musicianship: Skill level, execution & composition.
Overall Appeal: Quality of presentation from beginning to end of the entry tracks.

Acceptance Process:

The 8 groups that are selected for Battle must be prepared to meet the following requirements:

All accepted artists must confirm their attendance within one week of receiving an offer, or risk losing their spot.
At least one group member must attend a mandatory meeting/call/Zoom (date, time, and location TBD) with the planning committee to receive all information.
All groups must submit their technical rider and instrument list to their Band Representative at least a 1 month before the show, including any requirements from the sound company. Failure to submit your technical rider by that time may result in the inability to meet your technical needs on the night of the show. Little changes are acceptable (add language).

Day of Battle: Saturday, August 6th, 2022

The order of performance will be randomly assigned and given to each group at least one week prior to the event on Saturday, August 6th 2022 at 5pm.
All performers must arrive at Glen Maury Park at soundcheck the afternoon of Saturday, August 6th 2022. Time TBD.
All groups will be given a maximum of 10 minutes to set up their equipment and a maximum of 5 minutes to tear down their equipment.
All artists will be given a 15 minute set to perform. If a performance goes over their 15-minute set allotment, their sound will be cut off and a 5 point deduction will be applied. All artists will be given a 5-minute warning and a 1-minute warning.

Judging of Performances:

Groups will be judged based on the sum of 1) Judge Assessments and 2) Audience Voting.

Judge Assessments* are based on the following with a maximum possible score of 50 points:

Originality (out of 10): Original music or creative covers of preexisting music.
Musicianship (out of 10): Skill level, execution, composition.

Stage Presence
- Audience Participation (out of 10): Generating enthusiasm of the crowd and encouraging audience interaction
- Stage Presence (out of 10): The ability to command an audience with impressive style or manner

Overall Performance (out of 10):
This category measures the quality of presentation from beginning to end of the group’s set

*Judge assessments and feedback will be shared with the acts to provide high-quality feedback for improvement.

Audience Voting will be calculated in the following way:

Every attendee at the event will be given ONE vote ticket at no charge.
Vote tickets will be cast in a clearly designated area at which voters will be able to cast their vote.
After each act has performed, all votes will be counted. Points will be given to each act based on the percentage of total votes an act has garnered. Example: 400 total votes cast and an act receives 80 votes. The act will then be awarded 20 points.

The winner will be selected based on the sum of Judge Assessment (50 point maximum) and Audience Voting (100 points maximum).

The group that receives the highest overall score will be offered a spot to perform for 15 minutes at the conclusion of the event.

Possible Disqualifications:

Failure to show up for the artist’s performance will result in disqualification.
Failure to clean up the artist’s equipment from the stage will result in a 5 point deduction.
Failure to abide by the time limit (10 minutes) will result in a 10 point deduction.
Failure to abide by the rules and policies signed in the contract will result in disqualification.

Prize for the Winner*:

Professional, multi-track recording of the performance.
Professional mixing and mastering of one track from the performance, chosen by band.
Professional music video produced and synced with the track, producing a music video.
Professional website or digital marketing consultation.