Information for Bands
On Arrival
You should arrive about an hour before your performance begins. You will be met by the Bandstand Operations Manager who will contact you four weeks before the event to discuss any issues. Your Bandstand Operations Manager’s mobile phone number will be supplied to you before your performance by e-mail should you wish to contact him/her.
Holme Green
Bandstand Performances
Loading, Unloading and Parking
Drivers with light equipment capable of being carried 100 metres are asked to load and unload on the Inner Circle, near to The Regent’s Bar & Kitchen. If equipment needs to be driven to the Bandstand, please drive down the path from the Inner Circle opposite the Cafe with someone in front to alert pedestrians.
Bands/Orchestras/Choirs can request up to five parking permits through the Equipment Form which will be emailed four weeks before the performance.
The permits will allow vehicles to park in available pay and display bays free, however the Park does not allow parking on yellow lines. At weekends it can be difficult to find a bay, as the permit does not guarantee a space, therefore you will need to allow 30 minutes extra time to find a bay after unloading your equipment.
Broadwalk
Bandstand Performances
Loading, Unloading and Parking
Drivers with light equipment capable of being carried 100 metres are asked to load and unload on Chester Road. If equipment needs to be driven to the Broadwalk please drive down the path from Chester Road with someone in front to alert pedestrians. It is best to call your Bandstand Manager who can assist you.
Bands/Orchestras/Choirs “Performers” can obtain parking permits through the Equipment Form which will be emailed four weeks before the performance.
The permits will allow vehicles to park in available pay and display bays free, however, the Park does not allow parking on yellow lines. At weekends it can be difficult to find a bay, as the permit does not guarantee a space, therefore you will need to allow 30 minutes extra time to find a bay after unloading your equipment.
All Performers
Bandstand Arrangements
The Regent’s Park Landscape Maintenance contractor idverde will switch the power on and place the number of chairs specified in the Equipment Form on the bandstand. A 5-piece Drum Kit will also be available. Saturday Broadwalk bands may bring their own drums if preferred. Due to the tight turnaround Sunday Bandstand performers must use our drum kit. Bands may prefer to bring their own cymbals.
Cables should be well duct-taped to the bandstand to avoid tripping accidents. Duct tape will be provided.
Please introduce your band and make an announcement to the audience regarding donations.
You are encouraged to install a banner with your name on the Bandstand.
PERFORMERS WILL SUPPLY THEIR OWN MUSIC STANDS. There is a one-hour break between performances on Sunday to allow time to remove one performer’s equipment and the other to setup their equipment.
Under certain conditions the bandstand suffers from high winds so appropriate measures need to be taken to manage sheet music
For Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday performance you can set up equipment and store instrument cases, coats etc in the Hut 50 yds from the bandstand (see map). Please DO NOT leave instrument cases behind the bandstand or anywhere in the vicinity of the bandstand. There is also a toilet next to the equipment storage area.
At the end of your performance (after the thunderous applause has died down!) please take down your banner/flag
Please remember to take all your belongings from the Hut- we do not want to operate a lost property service!
Donations
There will be a donation box near each bandstand. If you can, when making announcements during your performance, please draw the audience’s attention to the fact that the box is to collect funds that ultimately go to fund the Free Performances. Donations can be made at the boxes in cash or by swipe. Instructions about how to donate by text or credit card are in the handouts that will have been distributed. Under no circumstances can bands collect for their own account by donation boxes, rattling cans etc. This is strictly prohibited by the Park Regulations. The Music Festival has a special dispensation from the Park to collect donations.
Please introduce your band and announce to the audience regarding donations, explaining that the funds are used by the Music Festival to help cover the cost of the FREE concerts.
Toilets
Apart from the toilets next to the Hut that are only available to the staff, band members and their families, the nearest toilets to the Holme Green Bandstand are in The Regent’s Bar & Kitchen in Queen Mary’s Gardens which can be very busy. The Broadwalk toilets are located near the Chester Road entrance to the Broadwalk (a fee of 20p is required) behind the snack building.
Weather
Bands should discuss the risks of performing in bad weather with the Bandstand Operations Manager and the Royal Parks Duty Manager. Any decision to cancel the concert will be taken jointly by you and the Bandstand Operations Manager.
All band members should make sure they are well-hydrated in hot weather.
Refreshments
The Regent’s Bar & Kitchen and Holme Green Kiosk sell ice cream, hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and cakes. Band members can receive a 25% discount on the presentation of proof that they are playing on the bandstand (eg: uniform).
Contact Numbers
Bandstand Operations Manager Phone Number – each band will receive this information via email
Metropolitan Police 101 for non-emergencies or 999 for emergencies.