
Call for applications: Battle of the bands in Kenya
DrumJam Showdown is accepting entries from bands for its 2020 edition of the competition.
- Ricky na Marafiki participated in DrumJam Showdown in 2019. Photo: Facebook
The competition will run in Nairobi at a yet to be announced venue from February to December and feature eight bands.
Each month, two bands will compete with a one-month break between performances after each elimination. Voting will be done by a panel of judges and the public.
Note that the judging criteria will only be sent to qualified bands.
Selected requirements
To qualify, the band must:
- Adhere to the soundcheck and performance schedule. Failure to adhere will attract a 10-point penalty.
- Incorporate a drummer.
- Not exceed seven musicians. In case the band has more than the required members, a written request must be submitted to DrumJam for review.
- Not share an instrumentalist with another band. If a musician plays for more than one band, a penalty of 15 points will be incurred.
A sample format of what the bands will be expected to play are as below:
- An original piece (max 10 minutes).
- Renditions of local songs (max 10 minutes).
- Rearranged international hit songs (max 10 minutes).
- Impromptu head-to-head jam (max 10 minutes).
Prize
- Winner – 150 000 Kenyan shillings ($1 500).
- Runner-up – 50 000 Kenyan shillings.
The application process is ongoing and interested bands can apply here.
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