Musician Policy

We like to make sure that all bands are aware that you will never be turned down by us. We're here to help you get both your first gigs, or if you are having trouble getting gigs, we will try to give you gigs to get experience on stage and in the public eye.

The 'Rock and Rant' Organisation was set up after both founders, (Brad Harmer and Ronnie Warner) realised how hard it is to get gigs. You can't obtain a gig without a demo, You can't record a demo till you can afford it, the band can't afford it cause they can't get gigs.

We feel that no-one has the right to say either "Your not good enough for a gig." or "You need a demo." We will organise for our Musical director to attend a rehearsal and the worst he will ever say is....... "We don't feel that your gig ready."

This doesn't mean that we won't allow you to perform, that would go against all that we have set this organisation up for. In this case the musical director will offer you constructive criticism from an experienced perspective. We also make sure that we keep in touch with both you and your band and help you to get to a 'gig ready' status.

We understand that a new band starting out will be nervous and still settling in with both each other's musical preferences and abilities. Do not panic! We have been in that situation as well and we understand and will take this into consideration.

When the musical director attends your rehearsal, he will mainly be listening to the style of the band, the bands physical presence and how the band 'gel' together. Again we must stress please do not feel that we are going to knock your confidence down, we are merely going to listen and advise where you could possibly be making mistakes in your bands sound quality and levels, musical flow and possibly your bands physical appearance. (Don't worry we don't mean your dress sense!)

We need to stress that whilst we are trying to help you to get on stage and into the public eye, we ask that all bands act professionally at all times. This includes insisting that in the event that a band needs to drop out at any time, we require a bare minimum of two weeks notice for a legitimate reason. (Lack of rehearsals or exams will not be accepted. This should be considered when the booking is confirmed).

If relevant notice isn't given then we will black list you and ask that you don't expect us to book you in the future. However in mitigating circumstances, we are also human and we can understand a sense of dire emergencies.

As we are a non profitable organisation, we do not pay the bands for performances. However, we understand that with younger bands it might be awkward in the form of transport. For example, taxis or petrol. On that note, we do allow approximately £10 - £15 which is paid out to cover expenses. This is not a regular price as it is due to the size of the attendance of the audience.

We must seriously express that we have ABSOLUTELY NO TOLERANCE for any of the following;

	Racist, sexist, homophobic or any other form of prejudice either on stage or back stage.
	Alcohol being consumed by any artist under 18.
	Any illegal substance being taken on the evening of the performance. We reserve the right to cancel that evenings performance, refuse to book you in the future, or even contact the police.
	We reserve the right to cancel your evenings performance and refuse to book you for future events if your attitude or behaviour brings Rock And Rant into disrepute.

Comedian Policy

We at Rock And Rant would like it to be understood that no comedian shall be refused an opportunity to perform. We are fully aware that the stand-up comedy scene in Medway and Swale is small to non-existent, and we aim to do something about this. Whether you are a relatively experienced comedian or just taking your first performance, then we will be able to provide you with a platform.

If you are reading this, it is likely that you have expressed an interest in performing stand-up to us here at Rock And Rant. If this is the case, then you can expect to hear from the Comedy Director very soon. The Comedy Director will conduct a short interview with you, either on the telephone or in person. This interview will not judge you on how funny you are, as we appreciate that being funny offstage is no guarantee of being funny on it, and vice-versa. This interview will be to find out what your style is, what experience you have, and who your influences are.

As soon after the interview as is feasible the Comedy Director shall contact you. The Comedy Director shall inform you of when you first performance shall be. This shall likely be what Rock And Rant refers to as a "Five-Ten". This means that at the performance, you shall be expected to perform five to ten minutes worth of material.

Your performance on the night shall be reviewed by the Comedy Director, and if he feels that you require more experience, then you shall remain on a "Five-Ten". In the eventuality that the Comedy Director feels that you are ready to take on a larger responsibility, then you shall be informed upon your next booking that you are being given a "Fifteen-Twenty". This means that at the performance, you shall be expected to perform fifteen to twenty minutes worth of material.

It is possible that after performing "Fifteen-Twenty" at one performance, the next performance that you are booked for may be another "Five-Ten". This does not mean that we feel that you were not able to carry a "Fifteen-Twenty". It is more likely a booking of convenience (ie. There is a more experienced comedian on the bill who shall take the "Fifteen-Twenty" slot on this occasion).

After the "Fifteen-Twenty", the rankings run "Twenty-Thirty", "Thirty-Forty-Five" and "Forty-Five-Sixty". For the above reason (ie. bookings of convenience), it is highly conceivable that may bounce up and down the rankings for a while. This should never be viewed as a demotion. We are here to support and encourage as much as we can.

However, due the strenuous nature of performing a "Forty-Five-Sixty", these slots shall only be granted in rare circumstances. Due to the nature of the formation of our performances, the comedian granted the "Forty-Five-Sixty" shall be the last act of the night. Although we do not view our roster as a hierarchy, it must be understood that the audience will expect the headlining act to be the best of the night, and we have to live up to this expectation. As a result of this, we must have great faith in a comedian and worked with them many times before we grant this, the highest recognition that we at Rock And Rant are able to bestow.

While we at Rock And Rant will do everything in our power to get you on stage and perform at our performances and hopefully beyond, we do request that you act professionally at all times:

1	If you need to pull out from a performance, we do request a minimum of two weeks notice. Pulling out from a performance giving less than two weeks notice is viewed as unprofessional conduct. If you pull out from a performance with less than two weeks notice, then you shall be blacklisted (please see our policies for the blacklisting procedures). Exceptions shall be made for mitigating circumstances at the discretion of the Comedy Director.
2	If you display a homophobic, racist, or otherwise prejudiced attitude that could be taken seriously (either on or off stage) then you shall be blacklisted. As a comedian, it is your job to make sure that any such potentially offensive material of this nature is portrayed in a light that it could not be taken seriously. If you display a prejudiced attitude that we feel is being spoken seriously, then your microphone will be cut, you shall be escorted off of the stage, and blacklisted.
3	If you are under the age of eighteen, we request that you do not drink alcohol before, during or after the performance. It is illegal and unprofessional. If you are found to be drinking alcohol and you are under the age of eighteen, then you shall be blacklisted, and the venue/license-holder will be informed.
4	If you are discovered to be taking, or under the influence, of any illegal substance, before, during, or after your performance, then this shall be viewed very seriously. In this eventuality, your slot shall be cancelled instantly, you shall be permanently blacklisted, and the police informed.
5	If your attitude or behaviour at any time compromises the position of Rock And Rant, the venue, or the other acts on the bill, then you shall be blacklisted.
6	Please do not "heckle" any of the other acts on the bill. It is an unwritten law for comedians that you do not heckle other performers. Of course, if the performer picks on you first, that's fair game.
7	The greatest crime that you can commit in the field of stand-up comedy is stealing another performers material. If you are discovered to be performing another performers material (whosoever they may be), then your microphone will be cut, and you will be escorted off of the stage, and blacklisted.

Best of luck, and we hope to be in contact with you soon.