DETAILS ON HOW IT WORKS

Ding Dong Lounge Band Competition Terms and Conditions

1. Competition Structure:

• The competition consists of four Heats, two Semi-Finals, and a Final.

• Judges provided by Ding Dong Lounge will select two winners from each Heat to advance to the Semi-Finals. From there, two winners from each Semi-Final will progress to the Final.

• In the Final, judges will select the 1st and 2nd place winners.

• The winners of each round are at the sole discretion of the judges.

2. Judging Criteria:

• Bands will be judged on Musicianship, Vocals, Songwriting, Originality, Stage Show, and Audience Response.

   

  Hot tip: Audience Response can make or break your set—so rally your crew. Bring your partners, siblings, flatmates, parents, and that one mate who never misses a gig. The louder your crowd, the stronger your impact. It's not just about playing well—it’s about creating a moment.

   

3. Performance Details:

• Each band entering will be allocated a Heat date, where they will perform a 20-minute set. The set length in the Semi-Final and Final is 30 minutes.

• Winners will be announced within 30 minutes of the last band’s performance each night.

• Each band member must be 18 or older and able to provide valid ID (NZ driver's licence, Hospitality New Zealand 18+ or Kiwi Access card, or passport).

• All bands must be Auckland-based.

4. Band Responsibilities:

• A band is defined as more than one performer playing original music together. Covers may be played during the live set, but most judging will be based on the original songs in your set.

• Load-in on performance nights is at 6:00 pm, with a band meeting at 6:30 pm. At least one band member must attend the meeting each night they are performing. The order of performances will be announced at the meeting. The opening band will be required to do a line check before doors open.

   

• Band members need to bring their own amp heads, leads, instruments, effects pedals, cymbals, stands, snare, kick pedal, drum throne, sticks, etc.

   

5. Gear Provided by Ding Dong Lounge:

• For Guitars:

  • 1 x Marshall MX412A 240-watt 4×12″ Angled Extension Cabinet (16-ohm mono)

  • 1 x Marshall MX412A 8412 140-watt Lead 4×12″ Straight Cabinet (8-ohm mono)

• For Bass:

  • 1 x Bugera BN410TS 2800-watt 4 x 10″ Bass Speaker Cabinet (8 ohms)

• For Drums:

  • Drum Shells: Mapex Armory Drum Shells

    • Mounted Toms: 10 x 8”, 12 x 9"

    • Floor Tom: 16 x 16”

    • Bass Drum: 22 x 18"

6. Ticket Information:

• Tickets will be available for each night, sold through www.dingdongloungenz.com or at the door if presales have not sold out.

• For Heats and Semi-Finals:

  • Early Bird presales: $10

  • General Admission presales: $20

  • Door sales: $25 (if presales do not sell out)

• For the Final:

  • Early Bird presales: $15

  • General Admission presales: $20

  • Door sales: $25 (if presales do not sell out)

• Partners, family, and friends will need to pay for a ticket to see the bands perform.

• All ticket money goes to Ding Dong Lounge to cover the event costs. No money will be paid out to bands from ticket or door sales.

   

7. Prizes:

1st Place:

• Studio Recording – Dave Rhodes Productions

  Record one professionally produced single with Dave Rhodes (includes tracking, mixing, and mastering).

  Valued at $3,500

   

• Music Video – Imaginary Friends

  Professionally shot and edited music video by Dave Thomson, including performance-based shoot, camera, and lighting gear.

  Valued at $3,500

   

• Artwork & Posters – Indium Design (Barny Bewick)

  Custom single artwork and release party posters designed by Barny Bewick.

  Valued at $1,000

   

• JB Hi-Fi Voucher

  Voucher to spend on gear, tech, music, movies, or other band essentials.

  Valued at $1,000

   

• Street Advertising – Phantom Billstickers

  Street poster campaign to promote your Single Release Party across town.

  Valued at $1,000

• Promotion – ACT UP Entertainment

  Marketing support for your single, music video, and release party across social and venue channels.

  Valued at $600

   

• Muzic.NZ Promotional Package

  Includes press release pinned to homepage, artist bio, email interview, and mentoring session.

  Valued at $450

   

• Instrument Servicing – Ion Guitar Works

  Free setups and servicing for your instruments before studio recording.

  Valued up to $320

   

• Venue Hire – Ding Dong Lounge / Dead Witch

  Free venue hire for your Single Release Party.

  Valued at $400

   

2nd Place:

• JB Hi-Fi Voucher

  $500 voucher to spend on tech, music, movies, or other band essentials.

  Valued at $500

   

• Food & Beverage Vouchers – Ding Dong Lounge

  Vouchers to enjoy food and drinks with your bandmates at the venue.

  Valued at $250

   

• Venue Hire – Dead Witch

  Free venue hire to host a party or gig at Dead Witch.

  Valued at $400

3rd Place:

• JB Hi-Fi Voucher

  $250 voucher to spend on tech, music, movies, or other band essentials.

  Valued at $250

   

• Food & Beverage Vouchers – Ding Dong Lounge

  Vouchers to enjoy food and drinks with your bandmates at the venue.

  Valued at $250

   

• Venue Hire – Dead Witch

  Free venue hire to celebrate with a party or gig at Dead Witch.

  Valued at $400

   

8. Disqualification and Entry Refusal:

• Zero-Tolerance Policy:

  • By entering the Ding Dong Lounge Band Competition 2024, you agree to our zero-tolerance policy towards any form of bullying and harassment.

  • At Ding Dong Lounge and Dead Witch, we are dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment that is free from all forms of bullying and harassment, including but not limited to gender-based discrimination, racial discrimination, and unlawful discrimination or violence.

  • This policy applies to all band members.

  • We reserve the right to disqualify any band from the competition if it believes anyone in the band is in breach of these terms and conditions or engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct that could jeopardize the fair and proper conduct of the competition or the reputation of Ding Dong Lounge.

  • Additionally, Ding Dong Lounge reserves the right to refuse the entry of any band into the competition at its discretion. If this happens, a refund of the $30 application fee will be arranged.

  • We reserve the right to refuse entry, remove individuals from the venue, and/or involve the police if necessary. Our team will determine, at their sole discretion, what constitutes these behaviors.

  • If you or anyone else experiences or witnesses any behavior that causes discomfort or unease at any of our events, please speak to the venue