This is straight up pay to play bullshit!

Posted at: Jun 10/08 - 3:15 PM
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Hi there,

All of Supernova's events are free for bands to participate in. If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding this, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Cheers,
- S

Posted at: Jun 20/08 - 4:31 PM
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All we had to do was sell tickets, we only sold 11 but they didn't care, they let us play none the less.

Posted at: Jun 21/08 - 10:17 AM
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Supernova doesn't charge me anything - in fact, if you bring your own merch/CD's to sell, you keep 100%, whereas some venues take a cut. All you need to do is interest enough people - and Supernova - and you'll be well on your way past "pay to play".

Posted at: Jun 23/08 - 5:19 PM
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If anyone's interested in bypassing the exploitation of supernova and booking our own shows, contact us. btw, we're in the Montreal area.

don't worry, we'll take care of the business/organization.

ezrafds@hotmail.com OR www.myspace.com/inprogressmyspace

oh yeah, and supernova clearly uses bands: they makes $1000s per show and we get nothing.

Posted at: Jul 15/08 - 4:42 PM
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Yeah, that's exactly what we're doing, using bands. You got it right son .
We make '$1000s' per show? First of all, I will refrain from the complete lack of a word that is, did you know that Supernova only keeps 11% or less of ticket sales? Putting on shows is expensive, and a lot of the money from ticket sales goes towards paying the venue, paying their staff, as a lot of our shows are all ages we have to pay the bars for all the drinks no one will be drinking, plus equipment, and promotion, including printing those pretty posters and those fancy tickets.
Also, by 'nothing' I'm sure you meant, a chance to play a show at a venue that you didn't have to put any effort into booking for a bunch of your fans while getting the exposure of all the other bands fans, and under age kids are going to put that twenty bucks from their allowance in your hands on some fancy merch which Supernova keeps none of the profits for, instead of on a pint as would be normal at a 19+ show (18 in Quebec)
Now I haven't been at Supernova for very long, and I know it's hard to accept corporations into art, but, I mean, you can only live with your parents, or survive off 'krispy flakes' for so long.
Most of the employees at Supernova are struggling to make it in this industry just as much as the bands are. In fact, I'm not making any money yet, I'm just doing this for the same reason we're all doing this, love of music and dreams of grandeur.
But maybe that's just me.
Take 'er easy
Noor
Booking Agent, Intern, and all around Rock and Roll fan.

Posted at: Jul 17/08 - 10:54 PM
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supernova is doing a good thing here in giving bands a chance to play plus great publicity in your city.. if you do not like the thought of playing a show through someone else. go rent out a bar/venue. a lot of places let you pay off the sound guy and run your own show for the night. sell your tickets make money as simple as that. supernova has been good to us and has given us opportunities that we didnt have to work our asses off for. and i thank them!

p.s. vote for like fate in the national out of the garage series finals starting tonight!

thanks supernova!

Posted at: Jul 21/08 - 6:03 PM
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I'm on the fence about this whole thing. On one hand, Supernova is right, they are doing a great thing in giving a lot of good bands good exposure which can sometimes be very difficult to obtain.

While I realize Supernova is probably not making the money it seems they might, I think there are many ways in which they could improve their business practices that would be beneficial to both themselves, the bands, and their fans.

My problem is this; when I go to see bands I like, pending the situation, I hate to pay much more than $20. Not because I'm cheap, but because its unecessary. In the case of Supernova, to ask fans to pay 10$ to see their friends band play for a half an hour or less, is a lot. Too much, especially considering most of those fans could see them play in their jam space or at a party for free any time.

Another thing, if the venues you book cost SO much money to hold them their, find cheaper ones. It will only benefit both parties. As you said, those above the age of majority, are a minority at these shows. I think the people would much rather sacrifice being able to buy a beer or six from the bar for cheaper ticket prices and higher attendance. Why not hold shows in the regular under age venues? The YMCA or a church basement or high school gyms or something. In most cases the equipment is still provided by the venue, though it may not be quite as high quality, though this shouldn't matter as neither are the sound guys...

Also, maybe draft up a score sheet or something so the bands can at least see where they went wrong and how to improve for the next show. This would also maybe put to rest the prevelent idea that he who sells the most tickets, wins the most shows. I'm not just being bitter, we have enjoyed some margin of success, but it very often seems that way...

The ideas and effort put into Supernova are great. I love what you guys do, however I think there are a vast many way in which you could improve things for everybody, give it a thought.
edited by The Ivory Coast on 7/30/2008

Posted at: Jul 30/08 - 9:49 AM
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i agree with you guys about the scorecard thing...there should be some kind of review- for sure.
But I'd still rather book good venues for more money than church unsanctify church basements with low ceilings and awkward riligious overtones....
besides, wouldn't you rather book your own church basement? I mean, I'm booking the ElMo right now, and I would love to play at that venue (although- not in a band) it's kinda legendary in Toronto, you know?
But i do know, some of the venues can be weak...whatever I'm struggling just as much in this industry as the bands I book are...I just wish people would see that.
-Noor
ps- i love smileys.

Posted at: Jul 30/08 - 3:58 PM
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Ivory Coast, you make some good points.

You say that we could improve our business practices that would be beneficial to both us, the bands, and the fans. I welcome you to send us these suggestions, we are always willing to listen and try to improve things. Keep in mind, managing a sprawling organization like this is challenging to implement widespread changes across the board, in all cities, but we do try.

The $10 ticket price point is one that has existed since our inception in 1992, we haven't increased it (except in cases where there are additional costs, like paying headlining bands on the bill or exceptionally expensive venues, etc.) The $10 is not just to hear the band play, yes you can do that in a basement for free, but what you are essentially paying for is a small portion of the cost of putting the band IN a quality venue, with quality sound and lights with all the overhead and related costs to do so.

Finding cheaper venus is possible and perhaps there should be some sort of "cheaper option" for bands, but with cheaper venues come cheaper equipment, crappier locations, seedier decor, you'd be surprised how ugly some places are. And 9/10 bands would rather play the best venue possible, from our experience. The amount of work to book a show at a Y or church basement is almost unmanageable on a large scale because you have to find the venues, then find sound, lights, security, staffing, plus the damage clauses these venues demand... it just ends up being not worth the effort.

I like your score sheet idea, it's something we will table at our weekly meeting.

Thanks for the support and suggestions, we will take all matters into consideration. I appreciate the mature and thoughtful way you've brought these concerns up and we'd be happy to have you provide more feedback any time.

In the coming weeks, we will be launching a brand new site and part of that re-launch will be an Events System, a band scoring system based on a myriad of internal and external metrics to Supernova.com, and a "best of the best" showcase of the top bands on the site. We want to enable bands to DIY promote their own concerts using the tools and connections we've garnered over 16 years, in case they feel that the Battle of the Bands(R) model isn't for them. The scoring and "best of" sections will illustrate that we truly only care about the best bands rising to the top as we want to actively assist in breaking out bands, which should help dispell any myth of ticket sales solely determining winners of Battle of the Bands(R) shows. All these changes as a result of thoughtful, impactful feedback from people such as yourself.

Thanks again for your interest and participation!

Elliott

Posted at: Jul 30/08 - 4:25 PM
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Cool, its good to know you guys take this kind of stuff to heart (I hope) and that your organization is still small enough that everybody can be heard and have an impact on what goes on.

About the venue thing though, I would consider making a pole out of it and putting it on the website, I am quite sure at least one of us would be surprised by the results, as the long as the question is not misleading...




Ya, but I'm just saying I think there must be a better place to play. I would also love to play the ElMo, however I would be just as happy to play almost anywhere else. While it's great that you guys do your best to book these great venues, I don't think thats as important for many bands at this stage to be playing in such nice places. It's more important for them to be playing in front of the most people they can, which means prices have gotta come down.

Also, not a complaint but another idea... Maybe look into booking some of your BotB's at other festivals or something. I'm sure there are plenty of outdoor happenings that would love to be provided with entertainment for their event. Just a thought...

Posted at: Aug 1/08 - 3:22 AM
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WOW! When I read the first post I was hoping there would be a reply like this, and expected it to be from the Supernova staff, and MAN, did you say it well. You said it all!

I'm a musician who has played all ages shows and 1 19+ show and has a father who's been a magician for 37 years and regularly books for/produces/performs for shows. I know what goes into it, and when I was approached by a Supernova worker at Warped Tour who told me about this site, I saw an opportunity to participate with an organization that can my entrance into the music industry much easier, and a promotion site replacement for lamespace.

Supernova is putting on shows in different cities, at nice venues, venues I'd want to play at. I want to go somewhere with music, and playing at the YMCA or a church basement is therefore the wrong venue for me. If you had the choice to play Kool Haus or your local YMCA, which would you choose?

All the band have to do is tell everyone they know who likes music about the show and ask them to support them by buying a ticket and seeing them at a price that's usually cheaper than the door price, that's fair. All of the above said costs Noor mentioned from those shows plus the server space this thread and the entire site sit on add up. These are the same terms by which I've dealt with production companies putting on shows in the past.

Thanks to all the people working hard for Supernova. They're doing favours to us all.
edited by Steve-Hanson on 8/1/2008

Posted at: Aug 1/08 - 6:28 PM
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I'm blushing!
edited by noorsm on 8/3/2008

Posted at: Aug 2/08 - 10:06 AM
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i think that supernova is doing a good thing for sure...the only problem that i have...is i think they should group bands a little better...keep the screamo metal hardcore bands with each other and the softe stuff and everything together...then the croud would be a little more hyped

Posted at: Aug 13/08 - 9:49 PM
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lol, i like that idea, we had 3 older alternative bands at the bovine one time, and some one accidentally booked a bunch of younger emo kids on the bill, which is fine, im all for any musician expressing him self. unfortunatly, the rest of the crowd wasnt so open minded, and they got stuff thrown at them, i think a few shoes as well! But what i do have to say, is i have liked supernova for a while, if the band knows how to market them selves, it can work really really well for the band. and its so easy, all you have to do is sell tickets and show up. which you have to do when you book your own venue/show, except you than have to worry about other bands, stage equiptment, and a whole bunch of other stuff that is really can be a pain. a good pain, but still a pain.

Posted at: Sep 5/08 - 1:40 AM
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