FAQs — No Cover

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHO CAN ENTER TO PLAY ON NO COVER?

Any type of musical act that plays original music.
All-ages, but band members under the age of 18 years old will need a parent or guardian on set if they are chosen to perform on No Cover. No Exceptions.
This event is open to artists/bands all across the world.

WHO CAN NOT ENTER?

Bands currently signed to a record label contract.
Cover bands.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO APPLY?

The Entry Fee $100 and there are larger opportunities for feedback from music executives starting at $500-750+.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

You MUST register via the www.nocovershow.com/apply page. There is a sign up form on this website for you to complete in order to be entered.
All submission fees must be paid online through our site. No cash or check payments are accepted.
If you do not register, you will not be allowed to participate in the event. Once the registration deadline has passed, no additional bands will be added.

HOW DOES THE FILMING WORK? (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

All rounds of No Cover are to be filmed on location at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA.
The competition will be set up tournament bracket style. There will be up to 5 bands performing each day of filming. Your band has 20 minutes to set up, plug in and play.
The selected bands/artists that are asked to be on No Cover will cover their own travel and lodging to Los Angeles for filming, no exceptions.
Selected bands/artists to make themselves available for interviews and additional filming and promotional opportunities.
Due to filming schedules, weather and COVID-related issues, No Cover producers reserve the right to adjust the schedule and days as needed.
All bands/artists/crew are required to take daily COVID tests to enter the protected film set. All COVID tests will be conducted by No Cover producers and adhere to all CDC and SAG guidelines, no exceptions.

HOW DOES VOTING & JUDGING WORK?

In all rounds: A combination of Judge votes determine the winner(s).
Only paid submissions will be considered to appear on No Cover. Not all entities are guaranteed to be chosen for No Cover and the final selections are at the sole discretion of the No Cover producers and voting committee members.
Judges Votes: Each episode there will be 5 judges. Judges are pre-selected by the producers of No Cover and are renowned musicians in their own right.
The identity of the judges is public knowledge. Judge votes will be available to the public.
In the event of a tie score, the band that receives the greater number of first place votes from the Judges, will advance. If there is still a tie, the amount of 2nd place votes will determine who advances.
Each artist will receive a one (1) song performance, not to exceed 5 minutes. You should pre-plan your sets accordingly. Set-times are strictly enforced. If you advance, you will repeat this process for the next two rounds.
Deductions: For each minute your band is delayed in setting up and playing, you will be deducted a point by the judges. This is a substantial deduction and could drastically change the night’s outcome.
If you waste your 5 minutes of performance time, you are immediately disqualified, and subject to the stage manager grabbing you with the hook.
Bands are forbidden to perform a cover song. A parody is also considered a cover. Any performance including even a small section from a cover or parodied song, is considered a cover and your band would be disqualified.
The final outcome of the Judges’ voting will be final. The top score a band can receive from a judge is 11 for a max score of 55. Bands will be judged on five factors (originality, appearance, performance, songwriting and the “it” factor.)
We will tally the Judges’ votes each episode and announce who advances during the broadcast. The results will be read from the stage from the No Cover hosts.

HOW DOES THE SHOW’S PRODUCTION WORK?

All bands and equipment must arrive at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA during the designated load in time period noted to you in advance (usually 8:00-10:00am) for load in. You must be on time. The official standard for time is the stage clock at the Troubadour. All of the event times are run from this clock. There are NO excuses for being late.
Your submission videos can potentially be used on episodes of No Cover, even if your band is not selected to perform.
If selected to appear on No Cover, you will be asked to fill out the names of each member of your band. On the day of your performance, you must have ONLY the members that you listed in registration, and ALL the members you listed in registration, perform. HOWEVER, if you would like to make a change to your lineup for your performance, that change is subject to approval by the No Cover producers PRIOR to your performance. The earlier you notify us of this change the better.
Each band/artist selected to appear on No Cover is allowed one (1) non-band member with them for their performance/appearance. This includes any title including manager, tour manager, driver, techs, front of house person, sound person, lighting person. Choose this person wisely.
Any band that has not arrived at The Troubadour by the designated times set forth by the producers will be placed last in the order for that night.
All band members are subject to adhering to all COVID testing and safety standards while on the set and during the filming window of No Cover.
There are 20 minute set-changes allotted. No banners or backdrops.
Hit Parader and Sumerian to receive first right of refusal for publishing and record deals for all bands and individuals appearing on No Cover.
There is NO guest list.
All bands must use the Troubadour’s / No Cover’s sound and light engineers. No exceptions.
Each day of filming there will be a stage manager to assist with set-up and tear-down for each band. The stage manager has the final word on staging rules.
Production information and specifics for No Cover will be advanced with the bands prior to their appearance on No Cover.

CAN I BRING EQUIPMENT? IS THERE BACKLINE?

Equipment provided by No Cover producers: guitar amps (heads + cabs), bass amp (heads + cabs), 5 piece drum kit, 3 cymbal stands, hi-hat stand, snare drum (snare stand provided) and single bass drum pedal, all mics and mic cables. You are allowed to bring your own snare if preferred.
The use of the provided drum kit is mandatory. If you would like to add to the kit you may do so. Please notify the stage manager at check-in about your intentions.
You need to bring: Cymbals, Hi-Hat Cymbal, Throne, Sticks, Double Bass Pedal (if required), Guitars, Amp heads, DI Boxes and anything and everything you would need for your show other than what is provided. Not clear about something? Don’t wait until your performance…ask our producers in advance.
Anyone caught stealing, tampering with or removing any of the No Cover gear or equipment will be disqualified and subject to prosecution.
Anyone damaging any equipment owned by No Cover, The Troubadour, or Hit Parader are responsible for replacing the equipment at full price within 10 business days.

TV PRODUCTION CONFIDENTIALITY

A TV show is presently being shot in this location (The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA.) In being present at this location, each person in attendance irrevocably consents to being filmed or videotaped and releases the producers and users of such film or videotape from any liability for loss or damage to persons or property or infringement of any rights, and expressly authorizes and permits use of his or her name, voice, likeness and all reproductions thereof in all media for all purposes throughout the world in perpetuity without limitation and without any compensation therefor whatsoever.
All musicians/artists/guests and production will enter into a non-disclosure agreement to protect both the entire production of No Cover as well as the winners of the individual performance rounds and the show’s final winner until the results are successfully broadcast

MISCELLANEOUS

The entry fee for No Cover NON-REFUNDABLE, regardless of the circumstance.
If someone in your band gets kicked out of the Troubadour on the day of your performance, your band will be disqualified.
All participating bands/artists and their one guest should always have valid, government issued IDs to enter the venue. Expired and paper ID’s are not accepted. No exceptions.

MARKETING & PROMOTION:

Each band will be given access to dedicated marketing materials to use on their sites and social accounts. Each band/artist chosen to perform on No Cover is required to post and share these assets with their fans.
Bands/artists on No Cover are encouraged to promote the competition via all channels. No Cover will also promote your bands across our social channels and our partners’ social channels.
The No Cover Marketing & PR teams will work to secure opportunities for all participating No Cover bands with media/press outlets. All bands/artists are encouraged to do the same.

THE FINALS

Order of slots will be at the discretion of the No Cover producers.
Set Length: One (1) song / 5 minutes
Voting Format: Same as previous rounds

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE BANDS!

No Cover Producers reserve the right to adjust, modify and/or clarify the rules of the event at any time for any reason.