Band Application
Band applications are no longer being accepted for the 2015 Center of the Universe Festival.
Check 1-2. Check 1-2. Is this thing on? The Center of the Universe Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the nation’s fastest growing summer festivals, is now accepting band applications. We are looking for 92 up and coming bands to play the indoor club venue stages on Friday, July 24th or Saturday, July 25th, 2015.
Do you want to play on one of the outdoor stages? Of the 92 bands selected to play the club venues, eight will be showcased on the new Oklahoma Stage. This will highlight some of the best music our state has to offer. Outside, in the Center of the Universe Festival, with all eyes on you. Pretty cool, right?
But wait! There’s more! We donate $500 to the Red Dirt Relief Fund in the name of each Oklahoma Stage Band. The Red Dirt Relief Fund provides a safety net of critical assistance for Oklahoma music people in times of need. Read about the Red Dirt Relief Fund here: http://www.reddirtrelieffund.org/
Do you think the world is ready for your dub-fusion-polka act? Is your Reggae-Gregorian chant act finally ready to go public? Whatever you have been up to in your garages, basements, rehearsal spaces, we want it.
How do we apply?
Submit your electronic press kit and pay your $15 application fee through Sonicbids. We understand it costs money to join Sonicbids AND pay the application fee. We know times are tight. We get it. For first time users of Sonicbids, you can use their free 30 day trial. Repeating : free. If you submitted last year and closed your account, you can reopen for just $12.99 a month – which, according to all the maths, is still cheaper than last year’s $30 application fee.
Once we receive your application, our varied and somewhat “with it” seven-person panel will review your submission and let you know if you made before the end of April. We know that is a long time but we expect to receive nearly 500 applications so it will take more than a minute – hey, at least you know we’re human!
Still have questions? See below.
We rocked everyone’s faces off last year at COUFEST Fest. Do we have to apply?
If the Beatles somehow were able to violate the laws of nature and reunite, they would even have to apply. TL;DR: Yes.
Where does our $15 application fee go?
All of the proceeds from the $15 submission fee will be donated to Tulsa Public Schools music programs. We have raised over $5,000 so far for everything from drums for Kendal Whittier Elementary, boomwhakers (whatever those are, we want one) for Chateau Elementary, performance mics for Hale High School, and many other items benefitting the teachers and students in Tulsa Public Schools music programs.
What does my band get for playing in the club venues?
Besides getting all of the publicity by playing at Oklahoma’s largest urban music festival and being included on the official shirts, posters, and website? Bands earn up to $100 per band member or a maximum of $500 for the gig and free food and beverages on the day of your show. Bands will also receive two weekend tickets to the festival per band member and admission to the exclusive after parties (aka “late night weirdness”) on the night of their set!
What else do I need to know?
All showcase sets are 45 minutes. Set times start from 5:30 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. All bands must load in before the festival grounds open at 4:00 p.m. Due to the large crowds, load out will be after the club venue closes at 2:00 a.m. Club Venue assignments and set times will be determined by the festival. We cannot guarantee your venue, date or set time. The Center of the Universe Festival will provide drum kits, sound, and lights.
What is the Center of the Universe Festival?
The Center of the Universe Festival is a two-day, non-profit music and arts festival held in Tulsa’s Brady Arts District. The event, scheduled for July 24-25, 2015, is named after a downtown Tulsa landmark, the Center of the Universe, located on the Boston Avenue pedestrian bridge between Archer and First Street – local legend has it that it is where “Interstellar” and the good “Star Wars” movies were filmed – the ones WITHOUT Jar Jar. The Center of the Universe Festival will feature more 100 bands on three outdoor stages and seven indoor club venues. The event also offers dozens of food trucks and a street market for local and regional artists to display and sell their work.
