Time's ticking onwards, and July's gonna start racing up on us quick, so it's time to open our doors to those who wish to play at this year's event. Due to the eternal struggle with funding, we're planning on keeping it simple this year.... We admit we overstretched last year squeezing on such a large number of acts, running into darkness on both days...

Anyways, read on to find out what you need to do to apply!

First up, don't bother looking for an e-mail address to send stuff to.... or posting in the forum. We only accept applications by good old fashioned post. If you're serious about wanting to play at our event, and indeed serious about getting anywhere in the business without entering Pop Idol or other such tosh, then you're gonna need a Promo Pack. That's what we want to see...

Some photos of the band, accompanied by a biography / history... if you've done any tours then past tour date sheets would be good too! Any upcoming events, tell us about them as we may turn up to see you if we're interested (but we won't tell you of course....)

SELL YOURSELF!!

The above should all be popped in a jiffy-squiffy bag and taken to your nearest postbox with stamps attached, adorned with following address:

Clarence 2008 Applications
The Music Collective,
42a Northgate
Wakefield WF1 3AW.

The closing date for applications is April 1st. (Yes, not much notice, but heyho... that's life!)

In the meantime, we've got "the details" to organise.... anyone got 10 grand spare?? Oh aye, and a dozen able bodies's be handy too!

We're ALSO looking for FOOD STALLS, FESTIVAL MARKET STALLS, ADVERTISERS, and SPONSORS.... contact us using the details over here!

After all, it's been 18 years... and THE GIG STILL WON'T ORGANISE ITSELF!

Ridings FM continues to show its commitment to the up and coming music scene with the Local Music Update, every Thursday evening at 9.15pm.

Now in its second year, and hosted by Andy Philpott, the Local Music Update features music news, a gig guide and information on bands currently playing the local circuit. The slot features a band of the week giving artists the chance to have their music played on air. The show has already played tracks from over 60 local artists and bands.

Any solo artists, duos or bands who would like to be featured on the Local Music Update should send material and information to: Andy Philpott, Local Music Update, Ridings FM, 2 Thornes Office Park, Wakefield, WF2 7AN or e-mail andy@themusiccollective.co.uk

We want to know about your gigs, your material and whether you’re going to be the next big thing on Ridings FM.

They came. They saw. They conquered. Well, twenty eight came (two had lame excuses for no-showing), hundreds saw, and one conquered the event.

Thirty bands participated across twelve nights in a knockout tournament to raise cash for Clarence Park Free Music Festival. In doing so, they generated a huge buzz across the merry city of Wakefield, and attracted many new people to the cause.

In the eighteen year history of the festival, The Wakefield Music Collective who organise the event have encountered its fair share of nay-sayers. But not one music lover in our city would ever want to see the event cancelled (just look at the uproar in 2006). My vision for the battle of the bands is not only to provide a platform for bands to reach new audiences, but also to raise awareness that the festival really doesn't organise itself. The Music Collective needs money and it needs people.

We made some great new friends along the way, too. Exactly half of the thirty bands who performed were local, and the other half made a statement by coming to support OUR live music scene. Personally I feel as though my sentiments on-stage fell on deaf ears, but I really think it says something when bands such as Stone Circle from Brighton travel all the way up to Wakefield to help an event that is nowhere near their own doorstep.

Special mentions this year simply must go to the following people; The Ridings, Jason Wakefield, Dark Entity, The Headstart, The Krayons, King Nothing, Chewin' Druids, Motaro Wins, and Morbid Tyrants for being present at many nights in the event despite not participating that particular evening. To me, the people in these bands encapsulate the message I am trying to send out; support your local live music scene and it will support you. In addition, I feel the need to congratulate Mighty Evan for receiving the first ever perfect 25/25 score in their heat. Then, despite wowing the crowds in their Tri-final they missed out on a single point and had to withdraw from the Last Chance Saloon.

I also wish to thank the Snooty Fox staff, The Jockey staff, Diamond Studios, and Morgana Clothing for helping ensuring this event took place, Theory1 for playing their guest slot at the final as last years' winners, and my judges Derek Lines, Helga Wakefield, Mick Walshaw and Kate Honeyman (and their stand-ins for various reasons Morgan Smith, Mick Dixon, Russell Connell, Hollie Theft, Rory Holl and Spruce Domino).

Every band that participated deserves a huge thank you for showcasing their talents, and massive congratulations go to all four finalists; Dark Entity, Smile Poltergeist, the runners-up King Nothing, and the eventual winners The Bundesrats.

But the biggest thank you of all goes of course to the people of Wakefield who came and supported their music scene, their festival, and their bands. In doing so you have raised over £1200 which will certainly go some way towards helping the Clarence Park Free Music Festival grace Wakefield in 2008.

Wayne Poppleton

If you'd like your music to be heard by a wider audience, please read on!

Shattered Existence Promotions will be putting together a compilation CD of bands to help them get more exposure.

What does it involve?

When all bands have submitted their tracks, Shattered Existence will pay for the pressing, printing and packaging costs of the promo CD. These CD's will then be sold for £1, at local gigs, national gigs, and anywhere else we happen to be busily working.

The money generated from the sales of these CD's will be reinvested into pressing more and more of the CD's, until the next promo is produced (we will aim for one promo every 2/3 months).

Bands featuring on the CD will receive no money for the sales, as this is purely a promotional tool and is NON-PROFIT. However, bands may purchase copies of the CD in batches/multiples of 10 at a reduced cost, then sell these themselves.... you keep any money you make back!!

This is purely for the love of music. There are a lot of deserving bands out there who might need a bit of exposure. What is there to lose? Get your track on the promo.... someone buys it.... tells their mates about you and then comes to your gigs, buys your t-shirts, badges, merchandise, etc...??

Any bands interested, please send details to tom @ asmodia.com or ring 0113 815 4433 (please leave answering machine if no one is available)

Tom
www.shatteredexistence.co.uk
www.myspace.com/shatte...promotions


Shattered Existence Promotions
c/o Saturn Music
The Old Vicarage
24 Zetland Street
Wakefield
WF1 1QT

0113 815 4433

Hamerex will be headlining at the Vampyre Connections Metal Night at the Snooty Fox with support from Wakefield bands Asmodia and Epitaphs Of Pain. Entry £3. Doors Open 8:00pm.