ENTER THE REACTOR | BATTLE OF THE BANDS | Official Competition Rules & Regulations

Section 1: Pre-Show Phase & Roster Freeze

• 1.1 Submission Mandate: All bands must submit a flat $50 registration fee along with a direct URL link to an unedited live video performance on Instagram to clear the initial validation filter.
• 1.2 Content Verification: Every act must perform original material. Cover bands, tribute acts, and the performance of any cover songs are strictly prohibited.
• 1.3 Roster Cutoff: The performing band lineup must be locked completely at registration. No substitute musicians or backing members may be added to an act after the 30-day sign-up window closes.
• 1.4 Roster Disqualification: Performing with unauthorized, unapproved, or unregistered members on stage during the live showcase will result in immediate disqualification and total forfeiture of all scores.

Section 2: Voting, Mass Hype Phase & Final 5 Selection

• 2.1 Public Tracking Ledger: Following registration, the entrant list will update on the website every 24 hours. The social media teams will post the current lineups multiple times a week, providing bands with their unique links to distribute to family, friends, and fans for daily online voting.
• 2.2 The 48-Hour Freeze Cutoff: Exactly 48 hours prior to the close of the final vote, the registration portal will lock completely. No new bands can enter the pool.
• 2.3 The Mass Voting Phase: The final 48 hours function as a high-traffic mass voting window for fans to lock in leaderboard standings before the portal freezes.
• 2.4 Final 5 Structural Selection: At the conclusion of the voting block, the final 5 competing acts are selected via a fixed corporate filter:
  • The Fan Vote (2 Slots): The top two acts with the highest verified unique electronic votes on the portal automatically advance.
  • The Judge Panel (3 Slots): Three slots are selected directly by an internal panel of judges and producers based on performance quality, marketability, and alignment.
• 2.5 Paperwork Deadline Constraint: The chosen 5 acts will be contacted privately and given a strict 48-hour window to return a signed Corporate NDA and Content Embargo form. Failure to return all forms within 48 hours results in immediate disqualification and the slot passing to an alternate.

Section 3: Live Tournament Execution & Ticketing (August 22)

• 3.1 Gate Tiers & Admissions: On the day of the show at Cideshow Studios, fans entering the gate must show their online registration confirmation to receive the discounted $5 entry fee. Any walk-up patrons, fans, or general public who did not pre-register online are subject to a $10 entry fee at the door, payable via Cash, Zelle, or PayPal. Individuals explicitly named on the pre-approved Master Production Team List are exempt from entry fees.
• 3.2 Absolute Call Time Enforcement: Bands must report to check-in at their designated, pre-scheduled call times. There are zero exceptions for parking delays, transit issues, or wardrobe prep delays.
• 3.3 Grace Window and Repositioning: If a band is not physically checked in at their call time, they trigger a strict 30-minute grace period and schedule bump to a later performance slot. If the 30-minute window expires with no verified status update, the slot is permanently terminated with zero refunds.
• 3.4 Open-Air Stage Soundcheck Restriction: There are no early or private soundchecks or extended rehearsal windows for competing bands. Performers are permitted only a rapid technical line-check directly on stage immediately prior to their set to verify wireless microphone signals and audio playback tracks.
• 3.5 Technical Hardware Cap: The venue provides a strict maximum cap of three (3) synchronized wireless microphones total for the stage floor. Any rock act requiring auxiliary microphones, specialized bodypacks, or custom vocal processors must supply their own engineered gear and clear frequencies with the house engineer at least two (2) weeks prior to show day.
• 3.6 Set Time & Change-Out Hard Lines: Competing bands are limited to a strict 15-minute maximum live performance set consisting entirely of original, bilingual material (English/Español). Stage change-outs are limited to a 10-minute maximum ceiling; any change-out overage cuts directly into that band’s performance window.
• 3.7 Audio Volume Discretion: To maintain compliance with municipal ordinances, the house audio engineer holds absolute, non-negotiable control over master decibel ($dB$) levels. Competing acts may not dictate sound adjustments.
• 3.8 Stage Safety and Cleanliness: No baby powder, glitter, liquids, gels, or scattering stage props are permitted on the stage floor. Stunts that endanger equipment or patrons are prohibited, and bands assume 100% legal liability for choreography, crowd surfing, or venue property damage.

Section 4: Live Show Tabulation & Judgment Matrix

• 4.1 The 50/50 Evaluation Split: The grand champions are determined by a mathematically balanced scoring system calculated live at Cideshow Studios at the conclusion of the sets:
  • 50% Producer Weight: Core internal music executives and panel judges evaluating technical delivery, precision, original presence, and on-stage star power.
  • 50% Live Audience Weight: Real-time percentage votes cast by the audience via the portal tracking system at the venue during the deliberation intermission window.
• 4.2 The Crowning: At the end of the night, scores are finalized through the official electronic portal to eliminate crowd-bias and single-judge manipulation. The Grand Prize Champion and the two runner-up acts are announced live on stage.

Section 5: Post-Show Prize Compliance & Deadlines

• 5.1 Post-Show Photoshoot Track: Immediately following the conclusion of the live showcase, the 2nd and 3rd place runner-up acts must report to the designated area at Cideshow Studios for their immediate, on-site editorial photoshoots. The 1st Place Grand Champion will be placed on a separate track to schedule a dedicated, high-end studio photoshoot day.
• 5.2 Strict “No-Strike” Shoot Rescheduling: To protect financial studio deposits and crew calendars, the Grand Champion must submit any photoshoot adjustment requests via formal written notice to the Production Manager a minimum of (5) business days prior to the shoot. Cancellations or failure to appear made outside this 5-day window result in the immediate, permanent forfeiture of the photoshoot asset. Emergency exceptions are waived only under documented medical emergencies or verified Acts of God submitted with official records within 48 hours of the missed slot.
• 5.3 Mandatory Media Embargo & Prohibited Disclosures: The media embargo begins the exact millisecond the winners are announced on stage on August 22nd and remains legally binding until the official distribution of the special magazine features. Winners, management, and entourages are strictly barred from publishing, leaking, or hinting at tournament outcomes, custom editorial photography, behind-the-scenes video, or studio tracking audio on any public medium—including TikTok, Instagram, X, YouTube, or private broadcast channels. Violations trigger the Clawback Policy, causing immediate title stripping and asset forfeiture.
• 5.4 Performance Asset Distribution & Arena Mandate: Following the generation of official festival flyers, the Top 3 winning bands are locked into the 10-band festival card at Thunder Studios on September 26th. All three acts must actively promote the arena festival to drive maximum paid ticket slots.
• 5.5 Supplementary Paid Festival Spot: All three winning acts receive a retroactive ticket-share payment calculated at a flat $5 per ticket sold for the live festival showcase event.