What could be better for an independent band than playing the world's largest music fest, performing in front of tens of thousands of people, AND getting paid up to $20,000 for the opportunity?
Summerfest, along with their marketing partners, wants to provide just that experience with their Land The Big Gig contest.
Speechless? No doubt. That's a pretty amazing haul.
Summerfest has teamed up with Robert Haack Diamonds and Tap Milwaukee to find America’s next breakout musical act. For the next 23 days, bands and musical acts of any and all genres from across the nation can enter the Land the Big Gig contest by uploading a performance video at LandTheBigGig.com.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS MAY 13TH 11:00 AM CST.
Fans can vote for their favorite acts online beginning Wednesday, May 15th, and the Top 3 Finalists will be announced on or around Wednesday, June 19th. The three finalists will win a trip to Milwaukee, WI to perform at Summerfest’s Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Stage on Thursday, June 27th for their chance to win a share of $50,000 in cash and prizes.
“Playing at Summerfest is the ultimate way for a band to get noticed, and maybe even make it big,” said David Wise, Marketing Director for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “And as if playing at Summerfest isn’t amazing enough, the grand prize winner gets a share of $50,000 in cash and prizes!”
In 2013, Summerfest will celebrate its 46th year of rocking Milwaukee’s lakefront. “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” features more than 800 acts and 1,000 performances on 11 stages over 11 days, providing an unforgettable live music experience for close to one million music fans from around the world each year.
“At Summerfest, musical talent spans all genres and the same holds true for Land the Big Gig. We encourage talented musicians of all styles to enter for their chance to win,” said John Boler, Chief Marketing Officer at Summerfest. “We also invite music fans to vote for their favorites online where they will have chances to win prizes as well. The final phase of the competition will culminate on June 27 live at Summerfest and we hope everyone will come out to cheer on their favorite performers and enjoy the festival in action!”
Last year’s Land the Big Gig brought an unprecedented level of partnership and promotion to all participating sponsors. This year, Summerfest and Tap Milwaukee are excited to partner with Robert Haack Diamonds to make Land the Big Gig even bigger and better than before.
“The 2012 Land the Big Gig was extremely fun and exciting, and we are honored to be the presenting sponsor this year,” said Bret Eulberg, owner of Robert Haack Diamonds. “We want to be involved in the community, and what better way than through music and entertainment? Plus, we just might discover the next hidden music star!”
Fans and contest entrants are encouraged to visit LandTheBigGig.com for updates and follow Land the Big Gig on Facebook and Twitter.
Don't forget to hashtag #LandTheBigGig!
Be sure to follow Summerfest on Twitter as well.
Producing Sponsors of Land the Big Gig are Boucher Automotive, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, 94.5 The Lake FM and Mountain Dew Kickstart.
Southwest Airlines is the official airline partner of Land the Big Gig.
Summerfest 2013 will take place June 26 – 30 and July 2 – 7, from Noon until Midnight and will be closed Monday, July 1.
You can get a listing of the 2013 headlining performers for Milwaukee Summerfest at Journal-Sentinel Online. This year's headliners include The Violent Femmes, Avett Brothers, Barenaked Ladies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, LL Cool J, Imagine Dragons, Dropkick Murphys, Brandi Carlile, O.A.R., Neon Trees, Silversun Pickups, MGMT, Phil Phillips and many, many more.
Still, there are at least three performers who haven't been booked yet - and that's because they need your votes. All three acts will be rewarded with a cash prize, with the top act getting a $20,000 cash prize.
(click image for contest and official sweepstakes rules)
MORE COOL STUFF
Yup, that picture above provides an amazing fan interaction opportunity plus a chance to win some cash and travel accomodations to Milwaukee for the Land The Big Gig performances.
Land the Big Gig isn't just a contest for musicians. Fans who participate by casting their votes for their favorite video will be eligible for a chance to win $2,000 plus travel and accommodations to Milwaukee to watch the finalists perform live.
There is no better place on Earth than Milwaukee in summertime during Summerfest week. Trust us.
HOW ABOUT A JIVEWIRED BAND THIS YEAR?
Last year, 120 acts entered the inaugural Land the Big Gig Contest, with more than 200,000 votes cast.
Jivewired would like to see that number doubled this year and we are encouraging our members to enter. How cool would it be to see one of our bands performing on the Briggs & Stratton Stage on June 27th? I'd bet that almost every single Jivewired band would have to be eligible for strong consideration.
For more on the contest, visit LandTheBigGig.com.
For more information on Milwaukee Summerfest, visit jsonline.com/summerfest
LAST YEAR'S WINNER - JAMIE LONO
Last year's contest came down to brother-sister acoustic duo 1703, L.A. lounge act Flavia & the Red and Chicago soul singer Jamie Lono, a finalist on the second season of The Voice, who won Land The Big Gig's top prize.
(Jamie Lono)
Jamie Lono is a recording artist who has lived through more than his 23 years suggest. The blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter’s musical journey has been turbulent: from facing health complications at a young age, a family financial bankruptcy, and living in a hotel, to gaining national fame as a solo artist through an appearance on NBC’s The Voice and releasing his solo debut The Feel Good Nation in August 2012.
He’s received praise from the likes of Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine and shared the stage with acts such as Tim Reynolds and Los Lonely Boys. Those accolades, plus television appearances and performances around the country, have allowed Jamie to grow both his audience and his message. His music continues to evolve; drawing on his influences – Ray LaMontange, James Taylor, Florence & The Machine, Bruno Mars – while expanding into uncharted music territory.