Competition rules and eligibility

Historic Downtown Gallatin
Third Thursday Sound Showdown – Official Rules & Guidelines

1. ELIGIBILITY

  • This competition is open to original musical acts.

  • No backing tracks are allowed. All sound must be performed live by participants on stage.

  • All performers must be at least 16 years of age at the time of performance. Valid ID may be required.

  • Open to participants from any location; however, all performers must be willing and able to travel to Gallatin, TN for their scheduled performance date

Minor Participants (Ages 16–17)
Participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian complete and sign all required consent and liability waiver forms prior to participation.

A parent or legal guardian must be present on-site and available during the event.

Any prizes awarded to minors may require parental or guardian consent and coordination for fulfillment.

Application Period:

  • Applications open: April 10 at 12:00 AM (CT)

  • Applications close: May 1 at 11:59 PM (CT)

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Review & Selection Period:

  • Applications will be reviewed by the Historic Downtown Gallatin Board from May 4 through May 15

Notification & Announcement:

  • Selected participants will be contacted between May 15 and May 18

  • Final lineup will be publicly announced on May 18

 

2. MUSIC & CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

  • All performances must consist of original music only.

  • This is a family-friendly event.

  • Any lewd behavior, explicit content, or excessive profanity (as determined by event staff and in accordance with local ordinances) may result in:

    • Immediate disqualification

    • Removal from the event

    • Possible fines or legal action, if applicable

3. PERFORMANCE FORMAT

  • Each band will perform a maximum of three (3) songs.

  • Total performance time must not exceed 12 minutes.

  • Exceeding the 12-minute limit will result in disqualification.

  • Bands performing fewer than three songs will not be penalized if within the time limit.

All performances will take place on the Gallatin Public Square from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (CT):

  • June 18, 2026 – Pop Night (Qualifier)

  • July 16, 2026 – Rock Night (Qualifier)

  • August 20, 2026 – Country Night (Qualifier)

  • September 17, 2026 – Finals

Performances

4. EQUIPMENT & SETUP

  • Historic Downtown Gallatin will provide:

    • Sound system

    • Drum kit

  • Performers must provide:

    • Amplifiers

    • Pedalboards

    • Cymbals and optional snare drum

    • Cables (recommended as backups)

  • Each band will be allotted:

    • 5 minutes prior to set time for setup

    • 5 minutes after performance for breakdown

  • Setup exceeding the allotted time will reduce performance time.

  • Bands must fully clear the stage within the allotted breakdown time.

Failure to comply may result in penalties or disqualification at the discretion of event staff.

5. COMPETITION STRUCTURE

  • Three (3) bands will compete each month in June, July, and August.

  • One (1) winner will be selected each month to advance.

  • Monthly winners will compete in the September Finals.

  • A runner-up will be selected each month in the event a finalist is unable to compete or accept prizes.

  • Finalists may change their set for the finals; however:

    • All songs must be submitted in advance for approval.

6. JUDGING & SCORING

Bands will be scored by a panel of judges using a 1–25 point scale in each category:

  • Performance Quality (stage presence, engagement, song selection)

  • Sound Quality (tone, mix, vocal and instrumental execution)

  • Originality (composition, lyrics, creativity)

  • Band Cohesiveness (interaction, timing, communication, overall presentation)

Maximum judge score: 100 points

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Judges: 60%

  • Crowd Vote: 40%

Final results will be calculated using this weighted system.

7. CROWD VOTING

  • Voting will be conducted via QR code-based system.

  • Limit of one vote per device.

  • Attendees must be present at the event to vote.

Historic Downtown Gallatin may implement additional safeguards to ensure fairness.

Additional voting opportunities may be introduced, in compliance with applicable laws.

8. JUDGING INTEGRITY & CONFLICT OF INTEREST

  • Judges must remain impartial at all times.

  • Any judge with a personal or professional relationship with a competing act must disclose it prior to the event.

Historic Downtown Gallatin reserves the right to:

  • Reassign or remove judges

  • Adjust scoring

  • Override results

in cases involving:

  • Conflicts of interest

  • Suspected cheating or vote manipulation

  • Ties or scoring discrepancies

All final decisions are at the sole discretion of Historic Downtown Gallatin staff.

9. PRIZES

Prizes include:

  • A paid headlining performance at a 2027 Third Thursday event

    • If the series does not occur, a comparable paid performance opportunity will be provided

  • Professional recording studio time at Ovation Studio (details to be coordinated)

  • Additional prizes may be announced

Prizes are non-transferable and subject to availability.

10. APPLICATION & SELECTION

  • Bands must apply via the official submission form.

  • Required materials:

    • One (1) live performance video (no backing tracks)

    • Band information and member details

    • Active social media links

  • Optional materials:

    • EPKs, additional videos, and promotional assets

  • Applicants must grant permission for Historic Downtown Gallatin to:

    • Share submitted and publicly available content for promotional use

 

 

11. ATTENDANCE, SCHEDULE, & PERFORMANCE ORDER

·       The timing of the competition portion of each event may vary. The competition may take place either before or after scheduled musical performances and is subject to change at the discretion of Historic Downtown Gallatin.

·       Historic Downtown Gallatin staff will provide estimated arrival and performance timing to competitors or their designated point of contact no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the event.

o   All competitors are strongly encouraged to arrive and check in no later than 6:00 PM (CT) on the day of the event to ensure readiness for performance. 

·       All provided times are subject to change based on event conditions, scheduling adjustments, or unforeseen circumstances.

·       Performance order will not be finalized or announced until all participating bands have arrived.

o   Participants who anticipate arriving late must notify event staff as soon as possible. Historic Downtown Gallatin may, at its discretion, adjust performance order to accommodate minor delays. Late arrivals may perform only if they are ready within their allotted time slot.

o   However, any participant who is not present and ready to perform during the competition portion of the event may be disqualified. If a band misses the competition portion entirely, they may not be permitted to compete.

·       An alternate performer may be selected and contacted up to 2 hours prior to the event.

All decisions are the ultimate discretion of Historic Downtown Gallatin staff.

12. LIABILITY & MEDIA RELEASE

  • Participants assume all risks associated with participation.

  • Historic Downtown Gallatin is not responsible for injury, loss, or damage.

  • Participants grant permission for:

    • Photography

    • Video recording

    • Promotional use of likeness and performance

  • Submitted music will not be sold or redistributed.

13. WEATHER / RAIN PLAN

  • This is an outdoor event and will proceed as scheduled rain or shine when possible.

  • In the event of severe weather or unsafe conditions:

    • Performances may be moved indoors, delayed, paused, or canceled

  • If a qualifying round is canceled:

    • Historic Downtown Gallatin reserves the right to:

      • Reschedule performances

      • Select finalists based on submitted materials

  • If the finals are impacted:

    • Winners may be determined by:

      • Combined prior scores

      • Judge deliberation

All decisions regarding weather are final and made in the interest of safety.

14. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Historic Downtown Gallatin reserves the right to:

  • Modify rules as needed

  • Disqualify participants for violations

  • Make final determinations in all matters related to the competition

Participation constitutes full agreement to these rules.