Richard W Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I'm involved in a non-profit group that supports our local public schools and have been asked to get involved in planning a "battle of the bands" type show that would feature four bands (including mine). I've organized a concert with multiple bands before, but never a "battle." I'm wondering about how one tallies votes to determine the winner. We were thinking of asking people to buy a vote (five "votes" = one dollar) as a way of generating funds. Or are votes even the way to go? Is there another way to determine a winner? Judges? Curious if anyone has any wisdom about this they could share. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Please don't sell votes. Whichever band has the most money to spend will win. That's like the "pay to play" clubs. If you go by votes, the band with the most fans will win. Lots of contests are doing that. Whether a band is any good or not becomes irrelevent. One of my students is in a band which is currently involved in a contest like that. I would say, reward talent. Get a panel of professionals to be judges: music teachers and local successful musicians. Sell tickets to the show and give the money to your group. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butcherNburn Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Refreshing to hear of a Battle of the Bands instead of an American Idol (or similar) type of show. I know a lot of people like those type of shows but I think it puts the wrong ideas in many peoples minds, being way too full of themselves and thinking that they have enough god given talent to not have to work on a craft in order to be an instant star like the world owes it to them. Just because mommy loves your singing doesn't mean your good. Sorry if I hijacked the topic, now get off my lawn. If you think my playing is bad, you should hear me sing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I was gonna suggest "last one standing," until I realized a battle of the bands isn't actually fought with weapons. Best thing to do is have a panel of judges, go with an odd number so there are no ties, and come up with a set of categories with a one-to-ten rating system: Overall performance, originality, appearance, etc. I would go with maybe five categories overall, not make it to complicated. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Please don't sell votes. Whichever band has the most money to spend will win. That's like the "pay to play" clubs. If you go by votes, the band with the most fans will win. Lots of contests are doing that. Whether a band is any good or not becomes irrelevent. One of my students is in a band which is currently involved in a contest like that. I would say, reward talent. Get a panel of professionals to be judges: music teachers and local successful musicians. Sell tickets to the show and give the money to your group. The bands will play for nothing and only get bragging rights at the end. The idea of selling votes would be that the non-profit keeps the money "voted." But I like the idea of having judges. Maybe we could have both: a "peoples choice" winner and a "judges winner." These ideas are helpful. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Please don't sell votes. Whichever band has the most money to spend will win. That's like the "pay to play" clubs. If you go by votes, the band with the most fans will win. Lots of contests are doing that. Whether a band is any good or not becomes irrelevent. One of my students is in a band which is currently involved in a contest like that. I would say, reward talent. Get a panel of professionals to be judges: music teachers and local successful musicians. Sell tickets to the show and give the money to your group. I very muchly like this idea. Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 What they said +1. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 How wrapped up in the charity are the four bands? If all four bands are into the charity, that's one thing. You only need worry about fund raising and not so much about who wins, loses, or hurt feelings. If it's a legit BOTB, then there has to be a winner and a prize. Selling vote and audience polls will only result in hurt feelings later. You must have a local radio station with some "B" level radio or TV personality that you can drag into a local charity. Maybe the local HS band leader or band coordinator. Even go as far as the owner/CEO of a locally owned business establishment (nightclub, outdoor store, music store) as a judge. Check to see if some local establishments don't have an advertising banner and a couple of gift cards (restaurants, consumer retail outlets, jewelry stores, customer service) and offer tiered prizes for the bands. I found that the local rib place put on an outdoor concert series this summer during a local event and everyone who owned a business locally had a banner up in the parking lot. I don't know how much time you have invested in your current process, or how much time you have, or how delicate the balance between the fundraising and band personalities, but there are other and more fun ways to pull this off. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 We came in second to band full of younger prettier young men that brought a bus full of fans... voting was done by applause/cheering. Teenage girls can scream louder than everyone else on the planet. We we tighter, put on a better show, etc... but lost (came in second.... same as a loss). That said, we had a lot of fun and enjoyed mentoring the youngins'. Good kids. I like the panel of judges idea.... also, give away a prize. Something that can be split amongst the band.... (ie cash)... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 While I agree with Jeremy's sentiment, it is the Pop music business. The Pop stands for Popular. The prize for artisits is the money that they get for selling records, getting to number one, having more fans and a bigger audience. It would be nice to think that the bands that are better musically would be the winners but that's not always true. I would charge the bands to enter the event. A nominal not for profit fee, to cover soundman, PA, hall hire, lighting and security. I would have a bar to make the money. I would ensure that each of the bands has someone on the door to verify that you count the number of fans they bring and share out the ticket money so that 100% of each fan's ticket/door money goes to the band they have come to support. I would record the event pro sound and video and each band would get a master of their performance - quite a good "prize" I think. Then I would have a panel of judges that can critique the bands without deciding on a winner. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Again, depends. If this is some charity thing to raise money for the local kiddies, then it might be a little much. Too much gets lost in the admin. Something a little less formal, but still reasonably fair. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 ... or start six months ahead of time. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Sorry read the replies and by the time I got to the bottom I had forgotten the question. You're putting on a concert in aid of charity but in a "battle of the bands" format to add interest. I would just give out voting slips as people come in, get them to tick which band they like at the end of the evening. Then get the tickets in and count. Simple. Generally if you want to raise money you really have to sell something. What about auctioning off the winning band for a private gig with a reserve price and other conditions. Obviusly the bands would have to agree first. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Sounds good in theory. The last BOTB benefit I took part in was a fund raiser to provide for the family of a young man who met with an untimely demise (whole 'nother stroy there, but it involved large amounts of stoopid). Managed to pull in 15 local "acts" (bands would be a bit of a stretch - especially my two piece with the rhythmically challenged guitar player and no drums). We have many "garage projects" capable of pulling off five or eight songs very well, but can't get one whole set together, let along auction them off as a premium private gig act. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 We we tighter, put on a better show, etc... but lost (came in second.... same as a loss). But did you shake it? You've got to learn to shake it. I mean really really shake it. Shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake your booty. Fundraiser? I like the dollar a vote thing. Put your money where your mouth is. It's all about the dollar amount raised. Plus, that gives us old guys a chance since our friends have more money. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Generally if you want to raise money you really have to sell something. What about auctioning off the winning band for a private gig with a reserve price and other conditions. Obviusly the bands would have to agree first. A friend of mine's band did this at a silent auction. It worked like a charm. A couple three or four neighbors pooled their money and bought a stellar band for their 4th of July party. Great idea. Obviusly. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Another fundraising band thing in our neck of the woods is an event where a famous artist is picked, say...Beatles. Or Tom Petty. Or Dylan. And each band covers four or so of that artist's tunes. No duplicates on song choices. And it's hoped that the bands will do something different with the cover tunes. It's well received and attended year after year. No winners or losers; they're all winners. Isn't that sweet? Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 I mentioned in the OP that four bands would be involved. Our current thinking is that two of those bands would be adult players and two would be bands made up with kids from our District's two high schools. The reasoning behind four bands is that we have four hours for the event and we wanted to give a full set to each band. Less playing time than that seems unfair to the bands (to me at least). I'm interested in the comments about possible hurt feelings among the non-winning bands and so am wondering of we should avoid the whole "battle" idea and just call it a "showcase" or something like that. Maybe the "battle" would not be for the best band, but the band that generates the most attendees and most dollars for the charity. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Yes, call it a "Showcase" and leave it at that. Maybe you could raffle a few prizes during the event to help boost $$ to the charity. As far as BOTB goes, I've been in several over the years and known many musicians that have too. I havn't seen (or heard of) an honest one yet. Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Generally speaking, "Battle of the Bands" events are lame. I've seen any number of them, and they almost always degenerate into a dumb popularity contest based on audience draw. The bands are already playing for free--why add a whole "you lose!" aspect to the event? "Hey, not only did you donate your time... you also suck compared to these other bands. See ya." How about just making it a fund-raising show where the attendees pay at the door? I'm guessing you'll have sponsors of some sort who will donate either time, funds or products for the event in exchange for publicity. So ask some of them to provide stuff to be raffled off. Ask a friend to be the host for the evening. They could do giveaways between sets (whatever smaller items the sponsors provide), and there could be folks circulating around with donation boxes. Also, just a thought... you might want to make sure that the bands are aware of each others' set lists. I've seen these things become exceptionally boring when more than two of the bands on the bill decided to play "Black Magic Woman." \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butcherNburn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Four hours (with breaks) of rock bands "playing to impress" may be a bit much for many charity event attendees. While it may not bother us, you may push some of the older crowd out the door. Just a thought, I'm trying to think of you collecting money for charity. If you think my playing is bad, you should hear me sing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 Also, just a thought... you might want to make sure that the bands are aware of each others' set lists. I've seen these things become exceptionally boring when more than two of the bands on the bill decided to play "Black Magic Woman." Yes, this for sure. The last event I organized I asked everyone to submit play lists in advance. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 How about selling requests? Get the bands who can play hundreds of tunes (if there are any) to submit a list of songs for people to buy. Of course Mustang Sally would be priced appropriately high. Feel the groove internally within your own creativity. - fingertalkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 How about selling requests? Ha! Great idea! Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I've seen these things become exceptionally boring when more than two of the bands on the bill decided to play "Black Magic Woman." I've seen that happen when ONE band on the bill decides to play "Black Magic Woman." And I used to like that song. Everything TBJ said -- just make it a charity showcase and heave the BOTB idea. An hour apiece is a bit long for a battle anyway -- most times bands get to do three-to-four songs for those. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cthulhu Fhtagn Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Crap. Project Geezer covers BMW. I didn't know we were boring all this time. Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffinator Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I love the selling votes idea. Who cares which band spends the most money? It's a fundraiser! A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Crap. Project Geezer covers BMW. I didn't know we were boring all this time. Not necessarily -- but if you can't play it with the smoldering fire and raw energy of the original (particularly the jam section at the end) take it out of your list. I've seen far too many bands phone this one in. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Thorne Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I was gonna suggest "last one standing," until I realized a battle of the bands isn't actually fought with weapons. Four bands enter; one band leaves... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Brown Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Crap. Project Geezer covers BMW. I didn't know we were boring all this time. Not necessarily -- but if you can't play it with the smoldering fire and raw energy of the original (particularly the jam section at the end) take it out of your list. I've seen far too many bands phone this one in. I like playing it. Cool bass line. I played it wrong for years... now I play it right..... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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