Battle of the Bands 2022

Key Dates

Fri 1 Oct
Applications open

Mon 15 Nov
Applications close

Fri 17 Dec
Shortlisted acts announced

Wed 19 Jan
Battle of the Bands event // Moth Club, E9 6NU

Championing the unusual, unorthodox and unheard, our annual Battle of the Bands competition is back.

Whether you’re looking to show off a lockdown project or dip your toe into experimental waters, Battle of the Bands is a chance for soloists, ensembles, improvisers and performance artists to showcase their work for a friendly crowd and panel of industry experts.

A small number of shortlisted acts will be selected to perform a 5–15 minute set at Moth Club, Dalston on Weds 19 Jan 2022. At the end of the night, our panel of industry experts will choose their favourite performance to win the opportunity to perform a full set at a future Nonclassical night, a bottle of champagne and will join our wider network of Nonclassical Artists. Previous champions include The Hermes Experiment and ensemble x:y, Tangram Sound’s Reylon Yount and Daniel Shao and many more – read more about the competition and its previous competitors here.

Applications are welcomed from performers of all ages, although there are two places in the final reserved explicitly for performers who are 18-25 years old. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented and/or marginalised groups in music, including but not limited to women, non-binary, Black, Asian or ethnically diverse, and/or disabled artists. Shortlisted finalists will receive a small honorarium and Nonclassical will cover any travel and access expenses.

Interested? Fill in an application form, including a link to a demo track either on SoundCloud, YouTube or Vimeo. Deadline for applications is Monday 15 November 2021. Applicants will be notified as to whether their application has been shortlisted by Friday 17 December, with successful applicants performing on Wednesday 19 January 2022.

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Apply

Applications for Battle of the Bands 2022 are now closed.

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What you need to apply

Before applying, you should have the follow things ready:

Introduction
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what interests you.

Repertoire or programme if shortlisted
This is an important part of the shortlisting process. We are looking for acts who chime with the Nonclassical ethos.

List of performers and instruments

Where you are based
Where possible, Nonclassical will provide travel expenses within reason. Please note that only UK-based acts are eligible.

Main contact name and details

Links to your website and/or social media

Up to three links to your music
Via Soundcloud, YouTube or Vimeo – please note we do not accept downloads. Links may be private but please provide any passwords for password protected links.

If you’d like to receive updates about future opportunities, as well as our latest events and releases, sign up to our mailing list.

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FAQs

Accessibility

We recognise that artists/creatives with disabilities and/or access requirements are under-represented in the arts and may require additional support. Successful applicants will be invited to submit an access document to outline their support needs. This is so that we can assess your needs in order to to ensure that you have equal access to work. Nonclassical endeavours to support every artist and make opportunities accessible to their needs. This includes a budget of reasonable financial support allocated towards access requirements. Please get in touch with sophie@nonclassical.co.uk if you have any questions.

For the more information about Moth Club's accessibility, please click here.

What are you looking for?

When shortlisting, we’ll be looking at the quality of both the performance and repertoire you’ve submitted. We're looking for people who chime with our mission, but we're open to acts that exist outside of typical genres. Get a feel for the music we've released on our label and check out some of our past events.

Do you have to be UK-based?

Yes, all applicants must be UK-based and available to perform at the event in London on Wednesday 19 January.

Am I eligible to apply even though I'm over 25?

Yes – Battle of the Bands is open to performers of all ages. There are two places in the final on the scheme reserved explicitly for 18-25 year olds, however the remaining acts may be any age over 18.

In the case of ensemble, all members must be aged between 18-25 to qualify as 18-25 years old.

What should I prepare?

Sets should be between 5 and 15 minutes. It’s up to you how you choose to fill that time, although you should have an idea of what you’re going to do when you apply – we’ll ask you for a repertoire list, which will be taken into consideration when shortlisting.

I’m a pianist, is there a piano available at the venue?

Although there unfortunately isn't a piano at the venue, we can provide an electric keyboard or you’re welcome to bring your own.

I’m an electronic musician, what tech is available at the venue?

There’ll be a sound technician on the night and the venue itself is set up with microphones, monitors and speakers. Time is often tight on the day so a complicated setup will be tricky, but you can always double check with our Events Officer Sophie if you’re unsure. We’ll ask you to list your technical requirements when you apply.

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with Sophie Haynes (Marketing and Events Officer) at sophie@nonclassical.co.uk.

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PANEL

Rebeca Omordia // pianist and founder of the African Concert Series

A prize winner in international piano competitions including Beethoven Prize and Bela Bartók International Piano Competition, Rebeca Omordia has made a name for herself as a vibrant and exciting virtuoso who is in demand throughout the UK and abroad. She has performed with world-renowned artists including Julian Lloyd Webber, Leon Bosch, Amy Dickson, Raphael Wallfisch, Răzvan Suma, Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and Chineke! Chamber Ensemble. A pioneer for African classical music, in 2019 Rebeca launched the world's first ever African Concert Series in London, a series of monthly concerts featuring music by African composers.

Mira Calix // composer and sound artist

Mira Calix is an award-winning artist and composer based in the United Kingdom signed with Warp records. Her work explores the manipulation of the material into visible, physical forms through multi-disciplinary installations, sculpture, video and performance works. Calix has been commissioned by and exhibited and performed works in many leading cultural institutions, festivals and ensembles internationally, most recently the Hayward Gallery, Serpentine Galleries, the 1stCoventry Biennial, The Royal Shakespeare Company, UK in China 2015 cultural exchange program, Carriageworks, MONA, Performa, the Barbican, Art Basel, Lincoln Center, Manchester International festival and the London Olympics among others.

Alan Davey – Controller, BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs

Alan Davey CBE is Controller, BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs. He is BBC Sponsor for the East Bank project which will see the BBC’s music studios moving to the new Stratford creative quarter. He is also chair of Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Drama and on the Board of EFDSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society) and a Trustee of Hall for Cornwall. He is also champion for socio economic diversity at the BBC.

Gabriel Prokofiev // composer, Nonclassical founder and Artistic Director

Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer, producer and DJ, whose music seeks to simultaneously embrace and challenge western classical traditions, often taking influences from other popular styles such as grime, hip hop and electronic music. He has written numerous works for international concert halls, dance companies and opera stages, including commissions for the Seattle Symphony, St Petersburg Philharmonic, Moscow State Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Rambert Dance, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Alexander Whitley Dance.

Natalia Franklin Pierce // Nonclassical Executive Director

Specialising in artist development and producing large-scale new music events, Natalia came to lead the Nonclassical team in August 2019 after managing the LSO’s Panufnik, Soundhub and Jerwood Composer+ Schemes for composers. Previously, she worked as a producer for Multi-Story Orchestra; a project leader for Sound and Music (where she lead composer residency programmes with artists such as Kuljit Bhamra, Wet Sounds, The Riot Ensemble and Red Note Ensemble); and as an artist manager for Emily Hall and Ikon Arts Management.

Panel

Mira Calix – Composer and Sound Artist

Mira Calix is an award-winning artist and composer based in the United Kingdom signed with Warp records. Music and sound, which she considers a sculptural material, are at the centre of her practice. Her work explores the manipulation of the material into visible, physical forms through multi-disciplinary installations, sculpture, video and performance works. Calix’s practice is deliberately disjunctive, allowing research, site, and subject to influence a fluid choice of materials and mediums. Calix has been commissioned by and exhibited and performed works in many leading cultural institutions, festivals and ensembles internationally, most recently the Hayward Gallery, Serpentine Galleries, the 1stCoventry Biennial, The Royal Shakespeare Company, UK in China 2015 cultural exchange program, Carriageworks, MONA, Performa, the Barbican, Art Basel, Lincoln Center, Manchester International festival and the London Olympics among others.

Alan Davey – Controller, BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs

Alan Davey CBE is Controller, BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs. He is BBC Sponsor for the East Bank project which will see the BBC’s music studios moving to the new Stratford creative quarter. He is also chair of Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Drama and on the Board of EFDSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society) and a Trustee of Hall for Cornwall. He is also champion for socio economic diversity at the BBC.

Awarded a CBE in February 2015 for services to the arts, Davey was formerly Chief Executive of Arts Council England where he served for 8 years from November 2007. During this time he was chairman of IFACCA - the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies, a founding member of the Cultural Olympiad Board for the London 2012 Olympics, a member of the UK Creative Industries Council and of the Milburn task force on Socio Economic Diversity in the Professions.

He has degrees from the Universities of Birmingham (BA English), Oxford (M Phil English) and London (MA Classics), and was awarded the honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters from the University of Birmingham and Doctor of Art from the University of Teesside.

Rebeca Omordia – Pianist, Founder of The African Concert Series

London based award winning pianist Rebeca Omordia was born in Romania to a Romanian mother and a Nigerian father. A prize winner in international piano competitions including Beethoven Prize and Bela Bartók International Piano Competition, Rebeca Omordia has made a name for herself as a vibrant and exciting virtuoso who is in demand throughout the UK and abroad. She has performed with world-renowned artists including Julian Lloyd Webber, Leon Bosch, Amy Dickson, Raphael Wallfisch, Răzvan Suma, Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and Chineke! Chamber Ensemble.

A pioneer for African classical music, in 2019 Rebeca launched the world's first ever African Concert Series in London, a series of monthly concerts featuring music by African composers.

Gabriel Prokofiev – Composer, Nonclassical founder and Artistic Director

Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer, producer and DJ, whose music seeks to simultaneously embrace and challenge western classical traditions, often taking influences from other popular styles such as grime, hip hop and electronic music. This can be heard in works like Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra – which premiered at the BBC Proms in 2011 – and Cello Multitracks, which has received over 40 performances worldwide. He has written numerous works for international concert halls, dance companies and opera stages, including commissions for the Seattle Symphony, St Petersburg Philharmonic, Moscow State Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Rambert Dance, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Alexander Whitley Dance.

Natalia Franklin Pierce – Nonclassical Executive Director

Specialising in artist development and producing large-scale new music events, Natalia came to lead the Nonclassical team in August 2019 after managing the LSO’s Panufnik, Soundhub and Jerwood Composer+ Schemes for composers. Previously, she worked as a producer for Multi-Story Orchestra; a project leader for Sound and Music (where she lead composer residency programmes with artists such as Kuljit Bhamra, Wet Sounds, The Riot Ensemble and Red Note Ensemble); and as an artist manager for Emily Hall and Ikon Arts Management.

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APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SOUND AND MUSIC’S FAIR ACCESS PRINCIPLES. 

NONCLASSICAL IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE DCMS CULTURE RECOVERY FUND, PRS FOUNDATION’S THE OPEN FUND AND THE SAMUEL GARDNER MEMORIAL TRUST. nonclassical is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL and in association with Youth Music UK.