Rules and Regulations

​Welcome to The Basement Door's Battle of the Bands! We want everyone taking part to have an enjoyable, safe and fair experience. Please read the following rules carefully. By entering the competition, all band members agree to abide by these rules and the instructions of the event organisers.

 

Participation and Registration

1. All bands must complete the official registration or application process before taking part. (Band Application & Individual Memership)

2. Bands must provide accurate information about their members and notify the organisers of any changes to their line-up.

3. All participants must comply with The Basement Door's safeguarding policies and event procedures.

4. Participants under the age of 18 must have appropriate parental or guardian consent where required.

5. The Basement Door reserves the right to refuse or withdraw participation where these rules or safeguarding requirements are not followed.

 

Performance Requirements

Each band must perform a set of three songs:

• Song 1 – Original: An original song written or performed by the band.

• Song 2 – Cover: A cover version of a song of the band's choosing.

• Song 3 – Choice: An additional song of the band's choosing, which may be another original or cover.

1. All three songs must be performed during the band's allocated performance slot.

2. Bands must perform their registered songs unless a change has been agreed with the organisers in advance.

3. All songs and performances must be appropriate for a family-friendly, youth-focused event.

4. Bands must adhere to the performance time allocated to them. This includes any introductions or between-song interaction.

5. The organisers reserve the right to stop a performance if it exceeds its allocated time or breaches event rules.

 

Soundchecks and Equipment

1. All bands must attend their allocated soundcheck at the time provided by the organisers.

2. Bands must arrive ready to soundcheck, with their instruments and equipment prepared.

3. Bands must cooperate with sound engineers and follow all technical instructions.

4. Any special equipment or technical requirements must be communicated to the organisers in advance.

5. Bands are responsible for looking after their own instruments and personal equipment.

6. No equipment may be connected, disconnected or moved without permission from the sound engineer.

7. Bands must be ready to take to the stage at their allocated performance time.

Failure to attend a scheduled soundcheck or causing unnecessary delays may result in a scoring penalty.

 

Behaviour and Conduct

All participants are expected to behave respectfully and responsibly throughout the event, including during soundchecks, performances and while watching other bands.

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Bullying, harassment, intimidation or threatening behaviour.

• Discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or otherwise offensive language or behaviour.

• Aggressive or abusive behaviour towards other participants, organisers, judges, volunteers or audience members.

• Damage to venue property, equipment or another participant's belongings.

• Possession or use of illegal drugs, alcohol or weapons.

• Behaviour that puts the safety or wellbeing of others at risk.

Participants must respect other bands and their performances. Heckling, deliberate disruption or unsporting behaviour will not be tolerated.

 

Judging and Scoring

Each band will be judged by an appointed panel using the following criteria:

Judging CategoryMaximum Points

Technical/Musical Proficiency 30

Performance/Audience Engagement 30

Preparation/Act Construction 20

Creativity/Originality 20

Total 100

Judges will assess each band fairly and consistently against the published criteria. Judging decisions are final. The organisers will not enter into disputes regarding individual judges' scores.

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Penalties and Disqualification

Points may be deducted from a band's final score for breaches of competition rules.

InfractionPenalty

Late arrival to scheduled soundcheck - 5 points

Setup delay that impacts the event schedule - 5 points

Exceeding the allocated performance slot - 5 to 10 points

Offensive or inappropriate behaviour - 10 points or disqualification

The organisers will consider the seriousness and circumstances of each incident when determining an appropriate penalty.

Serious breaches, including bullying, harassment, discriminatory behaviour, possession of illegal drugs or weapons, or conduct that compromises the safety of others, may result in immediate disqualification.

Penalties will be applied to the band's overall judging score.

 

Health, Safety and Safeguarding

1. All participants must follow instructions from event organisers, venue staff and technical crew.

2. Participants must not engage in activities that could endanger themselves or others.

3. Any accident, injury, safeguarding concern or incident must be reported to an event organiser immediately.

4. Participants must remain within designated performance, backstage and green-room areas unless authorised otherwise.

5. Participants must not leave the event without informing an organiser. Where a participant is under 18, the agreed arrangements for collection or leaving the venue must be followed.

6. The Basement Door operates a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, alcohol, bullying and harassment at its events.

 

Photography, Video and Publicity

1. The Basement Door may arrange photography and video recording during the competition for promotional, reporting and publicity purposes.

2. Appropriate consent will be obtained for identifiable images of participants in accordance with The Basement Door's policies.

3. Participants must respect the photography and image preferences of other performers.

4. Any restrictions or objections regarding photography or recording should be raised with the organisers before the event.

 

General Conditions

1. The Basement Door reserves the right to amend the competition schedule, format or arrangements where necessary.

2. The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any band or participant who breaches these rules or behaves in a way that compromises the event.

3. Any issues or disagreements must be raised with the event organisers rather than dealt with between competing bands.

4. The organisers' decisions regarding the interpretation and application of these rules are final.

5. By participating in Battle of the Bands, all band members agree to comply with these Rules & Regulations and The Basement Door's relevant policies.

 

Thank you for taking part!

Battle of the Bands is about celebrating young musical talent, developing confidence and performance skills, and giving bands the opportunity to share their music with others.

We want everyone to enjoy the experience, support one another and, most importantly, have fun!

The Basement Door – Supporting young people through music.