Want to Play?
Want to Play?
NOTE: Please do not send CDs, audio or video in any form unless requested
Thank you for your interest in Swanage Blues Festivals, which take place in March and October. Before proceeding, you are recommended to read the following carefully and not to skip to the bottom and send off your application anyway!
ORIGINS
The first Swanage Blues Festival was in March 2001, originally a birthday party in a nightclub that rapidly expanded into a larger event with nearby pubs asking to join in rather than lose out on business. The nightclub pulled out after two years and was replaced by a local bar that was big enough to hold a stage, lighting and a big PA. That was sadly knocked down in 2007, leaving just the ‘pub trail’, but thankfully the spirit of a Big Blues Party is still going strong.
FINANCES
Swanage Blues Festivals are limited to a handful of pubs, restaurants and hotel bars, each of which has its own unique character and requires certain types of act. None of them make an admission charge, and despite a lot of effort on my part, the festivals just don’t attract any funding.
The fees paid by the venues to artists are at Swanage pub rates - the pubs are small, the rates are low and start at around £150 for a full band, less for the few solo acts or duos that are required.
Contributions from festivalgoers towards festival funds are collected by The Bucketeers, a group of volunteers who go round the venues collecting all weekend.
QUALIFYING ACTS
About 25 different acts take part in each festival, and there are always more acts wanting to play than slots for them. So please do not send unsolicited CDs. Some acts are booked regularly because they attract festivalgoers, work well with the venues and understand exactly what is required. Only about seven new acts are selected for each festival.
Acts that are booked have
1. their own website;
2. a good mailing list to promote their gigs;
3. their own PA system and lights; and
4. the ability to hold a crowd for a minimum of 2 x 60 minutes or 3 x 40 minutes. .
Acts have to provide their own transport, PA system, lighting system, backline and drums, and pay for their own accommodation, food and drink. Any food or beverages supplied by the venue are entirely at their discretion and do not form part of the arrangements.
Playing time is a minimum of 2 x 60 minutes or 3 x 40 minutes, and when Acts stop playing, festivalgoers often move on to the next venue.
SOLO PERFORMERS, DUOS AND TRIOS
There are virtually no openings for solo performers or duos, and very little requirement for trios.
ELECTRIC JAM SESSIONS
There are opportunities for jamming with Robin Bibi and his Band in the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions. Check in with Robin at the sessions, drummers bring own sticks.
OPEN MIC SESSIONS
These are held each afternoon of the festival. Slots are not booked in advance because that may not leave room for enthusiasts who just turn up; also, if an 'advance booked' act doesn't turn up, we're left scrabbling around for people to fill the time.
So, the advice is: turn up early! Preferably Friday but 1.30pm on Saturday's OK, and book in with the hosts of the Open Mic sessions.
BUSKERS
Busking is only permitted where the ground on which you busk is licensed, and the times and places are organised in advance. Collections over the festival weekend go to the festival funds. If you wish to participate as a Busker, please email in advance.
WORKSHOPS
There have been opportunities for workshops in the past, but take-up has been so small these have never been held. If you have an interest in leading or enrolling, please let me know.
HOW TO APPLY
Please do not send MP3s, CDs, or audio or video in any form. You are welcome to contact me with a brief summary of your act, specifically answering the questions shown – please use these Headings in your application. Thank you.
SUMMARY OF ACT
Band name
Type of music
Band Members and Instruments
1
2
3
4
5 etc
Band info, including how long the band’s been together in present format
Review example
Website with gig listings
Website with example of sounds (if different)
PA description
Lighting description
Sample Set List
E-MAIL: s.darrington@btopenworld.com
All applications are considered and kept on file unless you request otherwise. The selection process involves a lot of people and can take some time. It is not unusual for a band to be offered a booking two years after their application. Please be patient. Only about 25 acts take part in each festival, yet sometimes 100 or more apply. Thank you.
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