Tips for Battle of the Bands?

Heres my advice (although ive never participated or gone to one of these)

1. Play!
2. Put On a good show! dont just stand and mope around get some movement in ther, make it interesting, because people want to be entertained and see something new and exciting not just stare at a bunch of stationary jukeboxes

my $.02

 

Well, at this point you're either ready or you aren't, but since I've judged a bunch of these I can give you this advice...

Be animated.

Play to the crowd, but also interact with each other.

Be gracious. Before, during, and after your set.

Keep your stage volume at a reasonable level so that the sound person can give you a good mix.

Talk to the other bands. Networking will probably get you more gigs than winning a battle.

Have fun.

 

All of the Battle's Ive played have ended up being either rigged or popularity contests so my advice is have fun and don't expect anything but having a good time.

 

If you can keep that in mind, then you might have a fun night. You've wanted to play a show there, and now you're going to. Play the show for it's own sake - have fun, play well, pick up some new fans. Look at it as a good opertunity to play, rather than a contest, and you might come away from the evening smiling.

Having said that:

Hardly out of your hands at alll - you've just explained that the band that brings the most fans to the gig is probably going to win. Load the place with your people, and make sure they all vote. There are going to be ballot papers dropped/thrown away by people who don't care who wins - get them picked up and filled in. Get out into the audience and TALK to the voters - democracy is after all nothing more than a popularity contest. Make someone feel like you'd appreciate their vote, and you just might get it.

Ian

 

How long do you have to play?

I suggest that you play the entire time.

I was in a BOtB where we had 15min to play.

The band that won did a medley and fit in about 5 or 6 songs by not playing each song in its entirety. That way you can pick songs that showcase each band member.

We played, like, 3 or 4 songs with a short break in between each song. The medley that the winning band played came off very well.

 

In my experience with BOTB you will be judged on the following:
Difficulty of Songs, with regards to ability
Respect for other people's equipment
Ability to follow instruction
Audience Reaction

You really have to keep the judges happy, not just the crowd. Be nice, and kind, and say please and thankyou at every opportunity.

 

+1 There is usually a favourite

 

Didn't the OP say it was ballot judging? If so, the crowd are the judges and there is no "panel of experts" to worry about. But you still have to be nice, kind, respectful, loyal, honest, reverent, etc.

 

What about the swimsuit competition?

If nothing else, have a good time!

Riis

 

+1 network with the other bands, whether you win or lose

Take lots of photos. Consider hiring a photographer if this is a great stage at a club you've wanted to play. Make sure you get lots of photos over-the-shoulder showing the huge crowd. I'm presuming this is a good-sized club... don't pass up the opportunity to get some stellar shots for your promokit.

Make sure you direct everyone to your website. If you have CDs or recorded material, GIVE THEM OUT! Throw them from the stage. Same with T-shirts. If you know anybody willing to do it, get some hot girls to dance on stage, or right in front of the stage if you want to be more subtle (gimmicky, I know, but BotB voters really do respond to anything that gets their attention).

RECORD YOUR SHOW. If you know anybody with a Zoom H2, I highly recommend them. Ask your biggest fans (in advance!) to yell out your band name and cheer for you when you first take the stage, and make sure you get this on tape. As SOON as the show is over, convert to MP3 and post on your website along with the photos. Tell the audience you are recording the show and your set will be available for free download from your website ASAP. Even if you don't win the battle of the bands, you can make a lot of new fans out of this, people who wouldn't ordinarily come see you or visit your website. Smile (if that fits your band's image), give high-fives to people in the front row... A trick I picked up from Jason Newsted: I've even let people play my bass (while I'm wearing it, I mean - I fret the notes and say, "Okay, play the bottom string, okay, now play the second string," etc). People eat that up. If you know any tricks, for example, you make your way over to your guitarist's pedalboard and work his wah pedal while he solos, etc, people love stuff like that, too, but don't over-do it. DON'T TAKE A LOT OF TIME BETWEEN SONGS, and be VERY quick about setting up & tearing down. BotBs are usually madhouses and always run behind schedule; you don't want to miss out on any stage time. Plus, it looks more professional if you take less than 5 seconds between songs. Think like you're listening to a CD of a live show - amateur bands have to cut out the time between songs; pro bands don't - they just seamlessly go from one track to the next on the CD, because they don't waste time. Talk to your audience. Don't just ask them how they're doing, but ask them what they thought of the other bands. For example,

"Hey! How you all doin'?"
(cheers)
"Yeah? That's awesome. What a way to start things off - it feels good! What did you guys think of [band that came right before you]?"
(cheers)
"Yeah, they were great! We are [your band name], and we're gonna play a hell of a show for you tonight, so come on up to the front - right up here, don't be shy - because we want to see you dance! Alright, let's get this party started!"
(cheers, go into your first song)

Don't do that verbatim, of course, but do talk to your audience. Say your band name again after the third song or so, and invite people to go to your website for free downloads or whatever you have available. Your job is to win over the crowd and be remembered above and beyond the other bands, so keep that in mind - even if you don't win the BotB that night.

Break a leg!

 

Ditto! Just go have fun

 

I only like Band Battles if they involve axes and swords

 

I'll bring my glock, then.

 

My advice would be to not play in the battle of the bands. They're worthless unless it's guarenteed that everybody shows up that says they will.

 

Someone on here once gave advice on the same topic. I thought it was pretty good, so here's what he said:

Start with your 2nd. rockingist song and finish with your rockingist.

 

Cool Yeah, that's usually how they go... You don't win, but you meet a lot of people and end up getting just as much out of it. I'm glad it went well

So, what did the label guys tell you?? Share the wealth!

 

Oh no. I disagree. You definitely won. You got out of it what these things are really worth and that has nothing to do with winning.

JKT