Band Competition

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How to apply to try to win a slot at NVRF 2025

If you are in a band, manage or represent one and you would like to play at Nene Valley Rock Festival held at Grimsthorpe Castle near Bourne, south Lincs over the four days of 4th-7th September, then please read and take note of all of this and you could be opening the main stage on Saturday 6th! All you have to do is complete the form below, paying particular attention to ensuring that you provide what we ask for, not necessarily what you feel like giving us, and don't just point us at an EPK - this will not have what we want. 

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The music at NVRF

Next, please check that you understand what our festival is all about. We are a classic rock, progressive rock and blues festival, with a bit of folk too. We are not a metal or tribute festival. Our primary aim is to support bands playing their own original music although we don't mind a well chosen cover or two! We will try to at least reply to those bands that are relevant to us, but we don't have time to respond to those that are not. We recommend that you start by looking at the bands we booked for our festivals in 2023, 2024 and this year in 2025 - you'll find the line-ups and videos of the festival on this website. 

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The competition and its Terms & Conditions

Assuming there are sufficient applications we will run four heats of four bands each, with a winner determined by votes of those present at the heat. There will subsequently be a final where a winner will similarly be determined and given the opportunity to open the festival's main stage on Saturday!

1. Applications will only be accepted using the form below. All sections must be correctly completed. The closing date for entries is 11.59 pm on 31st May.

2. An application does not guarantee you will be given the opportunity to compete. The festival organisers will decide, in their sole discretion, which bands will be offered slots at the heats and will do so by email.

3. You should state your preferred location and date and we will do our best to accommodate you, but this may not always be possible. Heats will be held as follows:
   ~ Lincoln, at the Jolly Brewer on Sunday 22nd June
   ~ Bourne, at Smiths on Sunday 29th June
   ~ Stamford, at the Voodoo Lounge on Sunday 6th July
   ~ Grantham, at Edwards Bar on Saturday 12th July
   The final be held in Lincoln at the Jolly Brewer on Sunday 27th July. You must ensure all band members are available for your heat, for the final should you get through and for the festival slot itself!

4. You must confirm your participation by email by 8.00am on June 4th.

5. You must be at the venue one hour before the start time of the heat you are selected for and also for the final, and be available to play in whichever slot you are assigned.

6. Each slot will be 30 minutes long with 30 minutes to set up beforehand. We will provide PA and lights and some backline (more details to follow). If you choose to use any of your own equipment when we have provided something similar, you must ensure that it is set up in time and is removed quickly after your set so as not to impact the next band. Failure to do so could result in your disqualification, at the organisers sole discretion.

7. The winner of each heat, and the final, will be announced at the event.

8. Whilst we will not restrict the locations from which bands come, we will not reimburse any expenses incurred in playing at any of these events.

9. You may bring and sell any band merchandise. We do not charge you for this in any way.

10. The festival directors may, at their sole discretion, offer a slot to a band that is unsuccessful in the competition and of course bear you in mind for future events... so do your very best and good luck!

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​Privacy and GDPR

Please be aware that we will store this information for use with running the festival. In accordance with Government rules, here is our GDPR Privacy Notice if you wish to read it! 

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