The New Colossus Festival 2023 Artist FAQ
For all matters related to booking and scheduling:
Lio Kanine (lio@newcolossusfestival.com)
For all matters related to venues and production. Full advance info will be sent out closer to the festival.
Steven Matrick (steven@newcolossusfestival.com)
Artist / Delegate Check In
We will open registration on Wednesday March 8th at 2pm at Pianos (158 Ludlow St). Artists will be able to pick up their badges here until 10pm.
Full registration hours:
Wednesday March 8: 2pm-10pm
Thursday March 9: 2pm-8pm
Friday March 10: 12pm-8pm
If you cannot come during these hours, please email us to make an appointment.
**On Thursday afternoon, we’ll be hosting the DittoX 23 panel series at Pianos. We highly encourage you to attend if you’re in town. More information is coming soon, but the panels will include panelists with expertise on many topics related to being a performing artist in today’s ever changing environment.
PROMO:
Your social media square is here for you to download and use.
Show flyers are here
Our linktree with all relevant links including the festival playlist is here: http://linktr.ee/newcolossusfestival
When promoting your shows, be sure to tag the venues and the other artists playing and use @newcolossusfestival & #newcolossusfestival . Some other hashtags you can use are: #(nameofvenue) #lowereastside
VENUE INFO:
All venues are strictly 21+ with proof of age and vaccination required to enter.
Performers who are under 21 are able to perform their sets, but will have limited access to the rest of the festival. No other underage persons will be allowed into the venues. Please email Steven (steven@newcolossusfestival.com) if you have underage people in your band ASAP so he can give notice to the venues.
Be advised that these are not large rooms (~150 cap) and storage space is extremely limited. The venue reps will guide your load in and find an appropriate space for your gear, but we’d appreciate you loading out after your show to make room for the next performing artists.
ARLENE'S GROCERY
95 Stanton St. @Ludlow
New York, NY 10002
Tech/Backline info and more (here)
BERLIN
25 Avenue A @2nd St.
New York, NY 10009
Tech/Backline info and more (here)
BOWERY ELECTRIC (MAP ROOM)
327 Bowery @E. 3 St.
New York, NY 10003
Tech/Backline info for Map Room and more (here).
HEAVEN CAN WAIT
169 Avenue A @11th
New York, NY 10009
Tech/Backline info and more (here)
MERCURY LOUNGE
217 E Houston St @ Essex St
New York, NY 10002
Tech/Backline info and more (here)
PIANOS
158 Ludlow St. @Stanton
New York, NY 10002
Tech/Backline info and more (here)
Backline for Pianos Upstairs Lounge here
Q: Where can we rent instruments or gear?
A: SIR are the go to company for rentals in NYC. Check out their website here.
Q: Can we share gear with other bands?
A: We'll leave the arrangement for gear shares up to you, but Steve can help by sharing contact info with you for the other bands playing your show.
DAY OF SHOW INFO
Artists will have up to 30 minutes to perform. This includes 15min on each end of the set time for the upcoming artist to setup while the outgoing artists breakdown and load out. Please be courteous of the other performers on the lineup by arriving on time and setting up and breaking down as quickly as possible. If you choose to take an extra 10 minutes to set up, you will have 20 minutes to perform.
Load-in:
In most cases, you will load in through the front door add (Berlin has a door on the side of the venue. If its locked you can load in through the bar 2A which Berlin is underneath). You should aim to arrive 1.5 hours before your set time. Be sure to check in with the venue rep (contact info forthcoming) and the house sound person. Please contact the rep if you are running late to help us keep things moving along. If you plan to drive in, please be aware of the posted parking restrictions near the venue. Never leave gear unattended in your vehicle!
Q Do we get a soundcheck?
A: As with all showcase festivals, all bands will be line checking. If you are the first band on your lineup, you may have extra time if you arrive an hour before your set. Please plan accordingly.
Q: Can someone under 21 years old attend my show?
A: Sorry, no. Again, the shows are strictly 21+ and a valid government ID is required to enter the venues.
Q: Do we have a guest list?
A: Yes, for your individual show(s), not for the whole festival. You will be alllowed 5 guest list spots per venue except Arlene's Grocery which allows 3 spots per band. Please keep in mind that the day shows are free and open to the public and you do not need guest lists for them.
Q: How does payment work?
A: We will be splitting 100% of door revenue (after venue expenses which vary per venue) equally between all of the bands on each bill. Please email Steven@newcolossusfestival.com if you have any questions about this.
Q: Can I sell merch at my show / at the festival?
A: Yes and you can keep 100% of your sales. Please check with the venue rep on where you can set up. All of the venues have merch areas for you to set up your merch at.
Q: Where can I have merch made?
A: Contact our friends at Funhouse and tell them we sent you and you'll get a 20% discount.
Email: fun@funhousehouse.fun
Website: https://funhousehouse.fun/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/funhouse_screenprinting
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATIONS
Q: We are an international band, do we need a visa to play?
A: The New Colossus expects performing artists and their teams to be aware of what is required of them to enter the US and work here. It is important that you understand that although the events target music industry professionals, they are also open to the general public. As such, ESTA / Visa Waiver, or B1 or B2 visas are not sufficient for foreign artists and crew. Instead, we recommend a P or O visa.
For those of you also performing at the official SXSW 2023 music showcase(s) in Austin, Texas, please know that SXSW is officially classified by the US government as a “showcase event,” which is why artists performing at official SXSW showcases have successfully entered the country using B1 or B2 visas. It is our understanding that ESTA / Visa Waiver Program have been unreliable for SXSW.
While we will provide international artists with an official letter of invitation to show to the officers when they arrive in the U.S., whether or not the U.S. government allows artists to enter the US to play New Colossus will be the decision of the individual passport control officer. We expect our invitation will be sufficient to gain entry, but we cannot guarantee that New Colossus-bound artists will be admitted to the US if they arrive on ESTA / Visa Waiver, or with a B1 or B2 visa.
Q: Where do we stay when in NYC?
A: You can find good deals online for hotels and apartment shares on or near the Lower East Side. Additionally, the Holiday Inn NYC- Lower East Side Hotel has set aside discounted rooms for us at $129 for King bed and $139 double bed. Registration link here.
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