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One
Guy’s Rambling Thoughts… |
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ARE
YOU READY TO RUMBLE?
Midwest Beat's Annual
Local Music Showcase
at Star Plaza Set for Nov. 23
by Tom Lounges
Hey Bands! Some of you have been asking for
months now, so I’m here to tell you...
It’s getting VERY near that time of year, when Midwest BEAT
invades the Star Plaza Theatre with 8 hot local groups who team up to show
the region how we rumble!
Mark your calendars now, because it’s been confirmed
that the “5th Annual Region Rumble” is officially booked for Sunday,
November 23.
The date is locked in and now it’s time to start
finding out what regional bands have the moxy to take the challenge.
Who will it be this year to experience
playing their original music on one of the premier stages in the entire
Midwest?
A lot of groups have already
started asking questions about the next “Rumble” and expressed
interest in playing at what has become our grandest BEAT Bash of the year.
But as always, we are doing an “Open Call” to any and
all original Chicagoland bands who think they have the songs, the stage
ability and the following to make the final cut and play the November 23
date.
All styles of music will be
considered and in the past we have generally try to create a broad-minded
show that features the many musical flavors our area has to offer ––
from Metal, to Blues, to Southern/Country Rock, to
Modern/Alt-Rock, to Punk...etc. I would personally like to see
the same kind of variety we had in our last two “Region Rumbles” to
happen again this year.
For those who are interested in treading the same
stage that has played host to the likes of Motley Crue, Kiss, B.B. King,
Alabama, Alice Cooper, Christina Aguilera, and so many other mega-stars
over the years, read on...
As I like to make things upfront and clear from
the outset, here is how your band can be considered, here is how the show
works each year, and here what is expected of any band who lands a slot...
1)
All artists are required to sell a minimum of 65 tickets to be on this bill.
Advance tickets are $10 for this all ages, daylong event (which runs from
3pm to 11pm). Tickets are $12 day of the show at the box office.
This is added incentive for fans to buy tickets from their favorite bands.
This figure of 65 tickets has never been
tough for bands in the past, as most bands who are the caliber to play a
venue like the Star Plaza generally have large followings. Though I
am not a fan of required ticket sales, it is
necessary to cover the operating expense of a 3,400 seat venue of this
caliber. The pre-paid ticket money covers use of the room, the PA
and lights, ticket and hospitality staff (security, ushers, etc.).
It pays to hustle,
because the band that sells the MOST tickets to this event –– gets to
pick their performance slot on the bill and gets special prize package.
The package includes a free full page ad in Midwest BEAT, a
recording studio package and other valuable gift certificates and items...
After the band that sells the
most tickets picks their spot the bands who sell the second and third
highest amounts will be allowed to pick their performance slots in
respective order. This is the first year we are doing this for those
who sell the second and third highest amounts.
The five remaining performance slots
will be drawn by a random lottery (barring a tie in ticket sales and which
point those slots will be chosen) so that there is still a level of
fairness to those bands who only sell the minimum amount of tickets.
2)
All participating artists, regardless of performance order will
play a 35-minute set.
3)
All participating artists will be allowed a merchandise table at the
“Region Music Flea Market,” which we set up in the cozy confines of
the Celebrity Circle Lounge, just off the lobby by the main doors.
All artists will take 100% of the profits from their merchandise sales
home with them. There is NO cut taken by the venue or promoters.
There is a single $15 charge for each table, which goes to the Radisson
Housekeeping Dept. for set-up, teardown and clean up of the lounge.
4) Artists may, if
requested in writing one week in advance of the show date, videotape their
own performance for promotional use. This is the perfect opportunity to
create a marketing tool featuring your original music on a professional
stage that has full production (sorry, but no pyro allowed).
So... there you have it! Those
are the main points of information that bands and artists have most
frequently asked in the past, so I have opted to try to lay things out as
clearly and upfront as I can from the outset, in case any of these points
have any bearing on a group’s decision to try and be part of this annual
celebratory event.
If your group would like to be considered,
please send me a full press kit with the following – a quality print
photo (color if available) that will be used in advertisements and
promotional items; a current band bio sheet; and a CD and/or Video of your
music. Your materials MUST be received BY the DEADLINE of SEPTEMBER
20, 2003! Send the kits/materials to:
“REGION RUMBLE 2003”
c/o Midwest BEAT Magazine
2613 41st Street • Highland, IN 46322
PLEASE No Phone Calls!
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