Official Contest Guidelines

 
Entry:

  • Deadline: Entries must be submitted online at youngfreesc.com and include the band’s contact information, full lineup of band members, a brief bio, a high-res promo photo and samples of at least two songs (i.e. MySpace, YouTube or link to website). Entries must be received by midnight, September 7, 2009.
  • A maximum of five finalists will be selected by web vote at YoungFreeSC.com between September 9, 2009 and September 15, 2009. In addition a panel of judges and sponsors has full discretion and an equal vote in selecting the final candidates for the live competition. The selected acts will be notified through YoungFreeSC.com.
  • Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
  • Employees and their immediate families (spouses, parents, children, and siblings and their respective spouses) and those living in the same household of each of the (“Sponsor”) South Carolina Federal Credit Union, Wild Wing Café, City Paper and ShineFest 2009 are not eligible to participate.
  • Each band that competes at the Young & Free Last Band Standing must play three songs on stage. Each set will last a total performance time of no longer than 20 minutes. Time-slots will be randomly assigned. Lyrics, attire, and performance must be family-friendly. Bands are not allowed to play cover songs in the competition. Songs may not include explicit lyrics. Genres may not include “death metal/heavy metal/thrash metal”.
  • A backline consisting of a four-piece drum kit and stands, a bass amp, and a guitar amp will be provided for each band. House P.A. and on-stage monitors will be provided. Drummers should bring their own snare drum, cymbals, and sticks. If necessary, each band should bring their own additional amps for guitars and keyboards. A stage crew will be on hand to assist each band in setting up. It is the band’s responsibility to set gear and be ready to perform within the allotted time (15-20 minutes between sets).
  • Any band going over the 20-minute limit may be disqualified or powered off.
  • The finalists chosen to compete in the Young & Free Last Band Standing must be available to perform at the Wild Wing Café 644 Coleman Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC on October 7, 2009 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and midnight. No time slots are guaranteed. The winner of the Young & Free Last Band Standing competition must be available to perform at ShineFest 2009 concert at the Joseph P. Riley Stadium, on October 17, 2009 (exact performance time TBD).
  • The Young & Free Last Band Standing is open to amateurs only (those with a major-label recording contract may not enter).
  • All bands agree to have their name, voice, and/or likenesses used in any advertising or broadcasting material relating to this contest without any compensation or rights to royalties for such use. Band members are responsible for the security of their equipment and the event organizers cannot be held liable for any lost, damaged, or stolen equipment. Fires, pyrotechnics, fog machines, etc. are not allowed.
  • Crowd-surfing, moshing, slamming stage diving, microphone swinging, smashing instruments, and head banging are prohibited during the event.
  • We reserve the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the contest as well as the final word in any disputes that should arise concerning the contest. All band members must sign the registration form acknowledging they have read and understand the rules as outlined in this document. All band members under the age of 18 are required to have a parent or guardian sign the document on their behalf as well. Failure to comply with any contest rules may result in bands being disqualified.
  • Entrants must be legal residents of the United States. Among other things described, we may require proof of age, identification, residency and/or Social Security Number prior to delivering a prize.

Scores:

  • A panel of judges will score each performance based on five categories. Each band could be awarded between zero and 10 points for:
    1. stage presence
    2. vocal strength
    3. instrumental technique
    4. crowd interaction and response
    5. musical originality

Note: The applause from the audience will be considered by the judges in scoring the “crowd interaction and response” category.

Judges will write comments on their score sheets in each category, and the sheets will be made available to the bands during the week after the contest. The band with the highest overall score wins. In case of a tie the judges will collaborate to determine the winner.

Prizes:

  • First Place - $1,000 and an invitation to play at Shinefest Charleston, October 17, 2009
  • Second Place - $500
  • Third, Fourth and Fifth Place - $100 Wild Wing Gift Card