A: Yes, maybe. Thing is, the large majority of Northside shows aren’t actually booked by us. While we take care of a handful of shows at McCarren Park, Music Hall of Williamsburg and the like, we’ve handed the reins over to our favorite industry folks to curate pretty much everything else, allowing them to handpick the bands who play their respective showcases. With that said, it may be worth trying to reach out to some of them and ask if you could play their show if you think you’d be a good fit. Friendly tip: Familiarize yourself with what type of bands they might book before doing so, and don’t annoy them with a million emails and phone calls.  Of course, a much simpler way to try to play Northside is to apply through Sonicbids. We’ll send out an open call for bands in the next few months. Until then, follow us on Twitter to stay in the loop.

A: It’s definitely possible, especially if you swear to get The Knife to play. Though we hesitate to make any promises, seeing as there are only so many venues in Williamsburg/Greenpoint and we already have a lot of awesome showcase presenters on board, feel free to shoot an email to northside@thelmagazine.com, and we’ll see what we can do.

 

Q: I’m considering buying a Northside badge because, for real, it all seems pretty awesome, but I’m a little unclear about what exactly the badge will get me.
A: Technically, that’s not a question, but we see where you’re coming from. Let’s start from the top: Your badge will grant you access on a first-come, first-served basis to every show taking place during the festival, in addition to all Northside film, entrepreneurship and art events. You’ll also be able to walk into tons of local bars and restaurants that will be offering discounts to badge-holders on food and drinks (both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety). Info on those discounts will be provided in the festival program guide that you’ll receive when you pick up your badge.

Q: Whoa, whoa, what’s up with this “first-come, first served” business? Is this going to be another one of those situations where only some of the venue’s capacity is reserved for badges? Am I going to be able to get into anything?
A: Admittedly, this is tricky. The number of reserved spots for badges is relative to the size of the venue, so the number of badges allowed into each show varies. We realize how much it sucks to spend money on a badge and be turned away at the door, but it’s important to realize that admission is not guaranteed. So if there’s something you really, really want to see, you’ll want to either get there early or consider buying a ticket (available on the schedule page and at the venue’s website). But even if you don’t, we’re confident that you’ll be able to see a ton of great music armed with nothing more than your very affordable badge. Venues will honor a one-in, one-out policy, meaning if a badge-holder leaves at any point during a show and there’s another badge-holder waiting to get inside, they’ll be able to enter at that time.

Q: Will tickets be sold to individual shows?
A: Yup. While tickets to most shows will be sold at the door the day of, a number of shows will have tickets on sale in advance. Check it. (If you don’t see a show in this list, then it’s safe to assume tickets will be sold at the door the day of the show.)

Q: I’m 19-years-old and have impeccable taste in music. Can I buy a badge?

A: Yes! But! Tickets to a lot of Norhtside shows are at 21+ venues, and we want to be upfront that about that. Even if you have a badge, if you’re underage, you won’t be allowed into certain venues. That said, the outdoor shows at McCarren Park will be all ages, as will a handful of others. Shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg and Knitting Factory, on the other hand, are 18+. Check the venue page for a full lists, and, in the meantime, relish your youth.

Q: Ok, I bought my badge, and I received a ticket in the mail. Is this my badge, or do I have to pick that up at the festival?
A: Whoa there, tiger. Badges aren’t even on sale yet, but, yes, we see where you’re going with this. Within two weeks of the festival, we’ll announce a location in Williamsburg where you’ll need to pick up your badge from in order to gain access to shows and other events. It will be painless, though, we promise. There might even be free beer.

Q: I’m young, cool, have good taste, and am intimately familiar with the music venues of north Brooklyn; also, I dress well and am not a jerk. That said, are you guys looking for volunteers to work at Northside?
A: Yes! We are! Thank you for asking! You’re definitely one of our favorite people ever. Click here for our volunteer application and more information. And, yes, you’ll get a free badge for helping us out.

Q: I am an esteemed member of the press and would like more than anything in the world to cover Northside for my magazine/newspaper/blog/social networking site of the future. Are press passes available?
A: Ohhh, that would be great. Thank you! Click here for our press application. We’ll try to accommodate everyone, but seriously, if you start a blog, like, today, just so you can get a free badge, we’ll totally know it.

Q: I don’t get it. Northside? That doesn’t even make sense. Why would you name a festival after a car service company?
A: Because it takes place in the north side of Brooklyn. And we forgot that a company called Northside Car Service existed when we came up with the name.