Bitter Jester Music Fest Application_Prelim Form Logo

  • 2022 Bitter Jester Music Festival

    Est. 2006 - 16 Seasons Of Musical Awesomeness!
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  • APPLICATION NOW LIVE!

    Scroll down (way down!) to begin the application. Or enjoy all these juicy details before you begin: 

    So, why should you apply to Bitter Jester? Well...

    All Competition Bands & Solo Performers Receive:

    • A chance to win the $1,000 cash Grand Prize
    • Pages of handwritten notes from music & media pros
    • Numerical scores plus very detailed breakdowns of those scores
    • Real-time recorded verbal feeback by the BJMF Education Team
    • A professional concert photo shoot
    • A board feed audio recording of their set
    • Multi-track recording files of their set
    • Multiple podcast interviews
    • Access to deeply discounted rates for mixing their multi-track
    • A chance to perform at Navy Pier in Chicago on Labor Day
    • A chance to perform at the historic Ravinia Festival in 2023
    • A chance to be heard on 101.9 The Mix FM in Chicago

    Your BJMF performance audio, podcast interviews, photos, videos, and quotes from the commentary you'll receive from industry pros will become the building blocks for your first EPK or a great update to what you have.

    Additionally...

    • Runner-Up will receive a $750 cash prize
    • Honorable Mention will receive a $500 cash prize
    • The top 2 Finalists will receive a professionally-mixed single
    • Top Bands and select Solo Performers will receive an Elmore Pedal
    • All performers benefit from increased video & photo coverage
    • BJMF promotes all performers equally - there are no "headliners"

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    When you click PROCEED below, you will be taken to the second part of the Application where you will upload media, answer questions about your band (or yourself, if a solo performer), and pay your application fee.

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    Sign up below... click here to check out our FAQ.

  • "Bitter Jester is the pinnacle of networking, professional feedback, performance opportinities, and media exposure for young bands and solo artists."

    -Nicolas DeGrazia, Founder/Producer

  • PLEASE NOTE: For the purposes of all pages on this Application, the term "band" or "bands" also refers to solo performers wishing to apply.

  • Some important info:

    Early Deadline: Fri. April 1, 2022 (11:59 p)

    Application Deadline: Sat. April 23, 2022 (11:59 p)

    The Bitter Jester Music Festival (BJMF) is the largest professional music showcase and competition for young bands in the Midwest. BJMF is made possible, in part, by support from the City of Highland Park, IL.

    The Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, produces BJMF and secures many thousands of dollars in prizes for musicians including cash, MVP Awards, professional photo shoots, gear, gift certificates, and much more! Trophies are also given out.

    This year's preliminary competitions are Fridays: May 20 & 27 and June 3 & 10. Bands compete on one Friday (you let us know the date(s) you're free). Friday Winners advance to the Grand Finale Concert + Fireworks on Monday, July 4 (Independence Day) where the Grand Champion, Runner-Up, and Honorable Mention bands are selected along with individual MVP musicains and prizes are awarded.

    NOTE: THERE IS A CHANCE THE GRAND FINALE WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, JULY 3. WE WILL POST AN UPDATE IF THIS OCCURS.

    THE ONLY REQUIREMENT is that at least half the members of the submitting band must be 21 or younger.

     

    2022 Bitter Jester MVP Award Recipients. Photo by Elliot Mandel.

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    NOTE: This application is easier to fill out on a computer (vs. a phone). -- We strongly recommend saving your answers in a separate document as you go. This will help prevent the loss of your work before you submit.

     

    AND NOW ... THE APPLICATION BEGINS!

  • ENTER YOUR INFORMATION:

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