Y108 Presents: Spring Music Festival’s Last Band Standing

The Spring Music Festival is a celebration of music that showcases both established and independent bands from North America. Under the festival umbrella, The Y108 Presents: Spring Music Festival’s Last Band Standing is a tournament-style modern rock talent search that will award one band a development package of $20,000 in cash and prizes, and be crowned the festival's Rock and Roll Champion. Currently there are 100+ slots available for Sonicbids bands within Ontario. Each show averages 250 people and bands are encouraged to sell merch, while gaining new fans and being judged by industry veterans.



This contest will be promoted heavily on Y108 radio throughout the entire campaign, from the first qualifying round up to the finals http://www.sonicbids.com/2/Admin/Event/ListingInfo.aspx?EventID=122376which take place at the 10th Annual Spring Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. Each year more than 15,000 fans attend the Spring Music Festival and Rock and Roll Challenge.

This is a great chance to:

• Play in front of hundreds of people, including industry professionals and veterans


• Gain new fans


• Sell merch


• Heighten your profile within the industry, the local scene and with music loving fans


• Be treated with respect by promoters

The prize package is designed as a "Development Package", where one up-and-coming artist will be provided with a group of prizes designed to help them record, market a single to radio, perform at high profile shows and gain overall awareness and recognition. You do not have to apply to the festival in order to qualify for this contest; it's 100% free to enter.



Prizes to date include:

• A cash prize of $500


• A recording package an internationally acclaimed studio


• 500 pressed CD’s with full colour inserts c/o SLI Canada


• Feature on Y108’s Indie Show with Barry Taylor


• $1000 shopping spree at Long and McQuade Burlington


• Hair & make up make-over c/o Cavelier Hair Desing


• Opening slot for an established artist c/o The Corktown Pub


• Invitation for a return performance during SMF 2013


• Feature in a media release to industry


• Free consultation with a select group of industry executives and artist managers


• Promotional Radio Tracking to all Canadian Campus Radio stations c/o DB Promotions. Services include:


• Aid in the selection and order of singles to be released to radio


• Liaison between client and DMDS delivery service if necessary


• Weekly solicitation of each radio station within your format until we have received satisfactory response as to the final status of your song at each of these individual stations.


• Solicitation and co-ordination of radio interviews where and when appropriate


• Solicitation and co-ordination of CD giveaways where and when applicable


• Solicitation and co-ordination of live performance ticket giveaways where and when applicable


• Weekly reports via email, normally beginning in the 2nd or 3rd week from commencement date


• Inclusion of artist in our website


• Servicing and promotion for the video at appropriate Video Channels if applicable.

Top finalists will receive:

• Regional winner logo for their web site


• Spot in the festival


• An interview and song aired on Y108's Indie Show with Barry Taylor


• Photo feature and listing in official program guide and on the festival web site

There will be approximately 15 qualifying rounds, featuring 6 bands between March and April 2012. Each night there will be one winner who will move on the finals. The finals take place during the Spring Music Festival on Saturday May 12, 2012 at the Corktown Pub in Hamilton, Ontario. Target markets include Hamilton, Kitchener, Milton, Brantford, St. Catharine’s, London, Toronto, Burlington, as well as other Ontario cities. If your Ontario city is not listed, please register anyway and they'll try to bring a show to your area. There are no semi-finals.



Showcase Dates:

• Fri Feb 24th – Guelph, Squirel Tooth Alice’s


• Fri Mar 2nd – Hamilton, Corktown


• Fri Mar 9th – Brantford, Club NV


• Sat Mar 10th – Toronto, Velvet Underground


• Fri Mar 23rd - Brantford, Club NV


• Fri Apr 13th – Hamilton, Stonewalls


• Sat Apr 14th – Kitchener, The Hive


• Sat Apr 14th – Toronto, Velvet Underground


• Fri Apr 20th – Hamilton, Corktown


• Sat Apr 21st – Hamilton, Corktown


• Fri Apr 27th – Hamilton, Stonewalls


• Sat Apr 28th – Toronto, The Elmocambo

Promotion

There will be approximately 15 bands moving on to the finals on Saturday May 12th at the Corktown Pub. Each of the finalists will be featured on Y108’s Indie Show with Barry Taylor where they will also have their song, bio and photo uploaded to Y108.ca.

Here's what some previous performers have said:



"It was a packed house all night, I was shoulder to shoulder with people everywhere, you could hardly move. Our band is honoured to have made it to the Y108 finals. It helps bring our awareness to a new level, we reached a new crowd of people, we have new believers in our music, and people that connect with what we are all about. We felt a huge energy with our performance, and such a strong connection with the crowd. It is the greatest honour to have an entire room of people singing along with your music. Thank You! I look forward to working with you again on a great show!"

-- Live How You Live



"Thanks for putting together this amazing competition. It has kicked our asses into gear so hard, it has changed us as a band. We have learned so much, and to have made it this far has given us a confidence and faith in our music that we never would have had otherwise. We have met lots of great people and come into contact with great bands like Miasmata (love those guys!) and others... Whether competitor or attendee, I plan to attend many future SMF's! I have never been so excited to play a show!!!!"

-- Lucky 13