At festival, you get chance to catch bands before they hit it big

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For the bands, singers and musicians arriving in Henderson from across the country, it’s the opportunity for a big break.

For the rest of us, it’s an opportunity to relax while listening to more than three dozen unsigned bands and, maybe, to someday even brag that, "I saw them before they were famous."

No doubt, our job is the easier of the two.

The vehicle for all of this musical stress/musical enjoyment is The Indie Music Fest, which runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Henderson Pavilion.

During the festival, unsigned bands will take the stage and strut their stuff before an audience scheduled to include not only music fans, but also record executives and others who might make their dreams of stardom come true.

Steven Gonzales, a marketing manager for Black Mountain Productions, a producer of the event, said this marks the festival’s fifth year and the second year that it has been staged in Southern Nevada.

According to Gonzales, about 2,800 bands submitted electronic press kits to the festival’s organizers this year. Then, he said, "our team picked the best top 40 bands from throughout the country."

"We looked at a lot of things. Obviously talent is No. 1," he said.

However, bands also were selected to play in the festival on the basis of such business-oriented qualities as marketability, appearance and entrepreneurial ability, he said.

For example, "what are they doing, just sitting in their garage hoping, or are they out there gigging and playing?" Gonzales said.

"We look at their fan base, too. How they look. What they’ve been doing. If these are serious musicians, because this is a business. Are they out there doing something, working hard, being entrepreneurial, which you need to do to make something happen?"

Each band performing Friday and Saturday will have 25 minutes, Gonzales said. The roster includes solo artists, duos and bands, and the contenders’ musical styles cross genres.

"Every year it’s different, because you can open as many genres as you can based on submissions," he said.

After their sets, artists are taken to a red carpet area for live streaming interviews and photo opportunities, then may sell merchandise, greet fans and network with professionals who might wish to speak with them, Gonzales said.

Ultimately, the winning artist as chosen by judges will receive a prize of more than $45,000 worth of music-related services.

Other scheduled events and activities for audience members will include a beer garden, a 5K charity run and a food drive.

For the schedule of bands and a rundown of activities, visit the festival’s website (www.TheIndieMusicFest.com).

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@review journal.com or 702-383-0280.