I just did a show like this. It was a rental, and the person incharge of the groups had no idea what he was doing. It turned from a simple battle of the bands show, to using projection and using a ton of mics.
Tell them what you have. Make sure every group gets the exact same thing. Schedule the hell out of it. Set up sound checks backwards (opening band checks last), that way the openers equipment is on
stage. See if groups can share drum kits. They aren't gonna like it but it will make change over a heck of a lot easier. If you have a large space and have 4x8 platforms you can put casters and set the kit up on two, that way all you have to do is
roll it in.
If this was happening in our space, we would probably make them use the midstage
drop (more like (3/4). Our
stage has literally no
wing space and even less back
stage space with the
cyc or the B.O. in. With the mid
stage drop in will will have the back 1/4 of the
stage to store there equipment.
I've missed if it was in a theater or a gym. If you have
stage with lighting give all groups the same five(ish) lighting looks. That way its not a lightning contest. I would have the
house LD do lighting for it. For the rental on of the groups game me a sheet with times on it and what they wanted the lights to do. They had no idea what equipment we had or if it was possible. I just ended up giving them what looked good with the music.
The music equipment
house, has alot of these concerts. I think its like $50 to enter then you either win money or recording time. (I remember one time you paid more then you could win
) I think it depends on you school and the interest, if you should charge the bands or not. If you have a bunch of bands interested, charging them will get the numbers down. I would charge 3 - 5 for a ticket. With rock concerts costing $30ish and
cover charge into a bar being around $5, I dont think any of the kids will have a problem with that. Plus they are students and wont leave donations.
I would also have some t-shirt style security, standing infront of the
stage. And depending on the space some sort of
barricade. We've had people unplug and knock over mics when the could reach on
stage.
P.S. For big shows like this
spike tape is your friend. And a
stage manager that was there for all the sound checks. Sometimes they make sketches, but now its easy enough to take a pic with a camera phone and just refer to that.