Shows FAQ

• No one answered my email… what gives?
  • If you’ve emailed asking for someone to put on a show for you and no-one wrote back it’s because no-one is able to take that on, even if your band is really great.
  • Try again. Sometimes emails get lost in the shuffle or if the date you are requesting is super far away, we don’t always plan that far in advance.

• How can I book a show?
  • If you live in the HRM, the best way to put on shows is to come to meetings and to get involved in the space. Then you can put on shows, ie “bottomline” which means being responsible for setup/cleanup, locking the space, money, and ensuring that the “code-of-conduct” is followed at shows (see below for more info on “bottomlining”).
  • Email the sadrad list sadrad@googlegroups.com with any ideas of shows you’d like to put on and see if other people are interested in helping out!
  • If you are a touring band, email the sadrad email list: sadrad@googlegroups.com (see below)

• My band is on tour. Can we play a show at Radstorm? What information should I include in my e-mail inquiry?
  • Email  sadrad@googlegroups.com. Include :
    • your band name,
    • a short summary about your band and music,
    • who is in your band and where you are from,
    • date(s) you want to play,
    • link to your music and lyrics,
    • and why you want to play at Radstorm.
  • We only book for bands that contact us directly (ie, no managers, labels, or promotion companies).
  • Also, it helps if you have some connection to Halifax. Running shows for touring bands is a lot of work, and we get way more requests than we can do. If you have friends in Halifax who can help with promotion, getting local bands, setting up for the show, etc. it makes it a lot easier to offer the space as a venue when there’s a collaborative effort and lots of people helping out.
  • Emails sent to sadrad@googlegroups.com goes out to everyone involved with sadrad. If someone on the list wants to “bottomline” your show they will write you back. If no one responds to your email, unfortunately, it means no one is able to bottomline your show.

• What kinds of bands can play shows at Radstorm?
  • Radstorm is open to any type of music, performances, or other types of events too!
  • Our only restriction is that we do not allow bands/events/performances that are racist/homophobic/transphobic/ableist/sexist or promote any type of hatred, violence, or oppressive behaviour.

• Is SadRad/Radstorm only for punk shows?
  • No, we encourage all types of music shows at Radstorm! Hip-hop, country, indie, etc. Do it!
  • We are also into other types of events too! Dance parties, auctions, bingo, comedy, theatre, performances, film screenings, discussions, workshops, meetings, etc.

• What gear is available for bands?
  • There are amps, cables, mics, mic stands, guitars, drum kit, and PA. The guitars, drum breakables & drumsticks can sometimes be in rough shape, so it’s suggested that you bring your own.

• Does it cost anything to put on a show? Do the bands get paid?
  • It doesn’t cost anything to book the space for shows.
  • RadStorm takes 30% of the door cover. We don’t normally take anything if musicians make less than $150 unless the musicians offer. Since we’re a dry-space, this helps us pay the rent and other bills.
  • There is no money guarantee for touring bands. All money to pay bands comes from the door only.
  • Exceptions can be made for fundraisers to support other groups and causes, in which case they can get more/all of the door money.
  • If the show is all local bands, please get in touch, as we have a couple of different options for how much bands get paid depending on the level of involvement the band members have with putting on the show.

• Is there a cover charge at the door?
  • Yes, Radstorm charges a cover fee for people to come to shows. It’s generally around $15-20 and always has a pay-what-you-can option.
  • People 18 years or younger get in free.
  • You can set the price of the show at any amount you want, as long as there is a PWYC option and no one is turned away for lack of funds.

• What does it mean to “bottomline” a show?
  • To “bottomline” a show you must be involved with Radstorm (have come to a meeting, are on the email list, and be familiar with the space and mandate/policies).
  • Bottomlining doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself, but you are responsible for getting other people to help and ensuring everything gets done. This means helping create the lineup of bands, promotion, communicating with bands, set up of the space, getting people to work the door, making sure people are following the code-of-conduct (ie. no drinking or oppressive/violent behaviour), dealing with money, running the sound/PA system, clean-up and locking the space after the show.
  • We often run shows as a collective, so if you want to help out with a show, let us know!
  • If you are on the email list and a band emails that you are interested in putting on a show for, email them back and reply-all to the rest of the list too to see if anyone else wants to help out.
  • Check out this google doc with lots more info about all the steps of putting on a show here.

• What is the code of conduct?
  • Radstorm does not tolerate violence, hatred, or oppressive behaviour. This includes but is not limited to sexualized violence or harassment, racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ageism, and ableism. Violation of this code of conduct includes language, behaviour, and content created or shared in the space (bandnames, lyrics, zines, etc.). If you witness any actions or communication to this effect, please inform a collective member as soon as you can. You will be taken seriously. Emails can be sent to radstormhalifax[at]gmail.com afterwards if you prefer and a collective member will respond.
  • Radstorm is a dry venue (but not a “sober” space) that operates with a harm-reduction philosophy. This means if you need to use or drink before coming to the space you will not be turned away for being under the influence but you will still be held accountable for you actions. Please do not drink or do drugs inside Radstorm events or on the sidewalk directly outside.
• And what do I do if someone violates the code-of-conduct?
  • First, talk to any other Radstorm member in the space who can support you.
  • If you feel able, approach the person to let them know that whatever they are doing is not welcome at Radstorm. Generally, if they stop the behaviour, they can stay. (ie, if they are drinking, you tell them they can’t drink in the space but can go drink outside away from the space and then come back. If they do, all good).
  • If the behaviour is serious or puts people at an immediate safety risk, or the person does not stop the behaviour, then the person may be asked to leave.
  • Radstorm members will debrief and follow up after the incident and may choose to contact the person to talk about what happened as well as anyone else affected by what happened.
  • We are developing a more extensive anti-oppressive/”safer” spaces policy and training people to create a space where oppressive behaviour is less likely to happen, intervene when necessary and follow up appropriately.

• Other things to know about shows at SadRad/Radstorm:
  • All shows are drug/alcohol-free (inside and outside around the space, too)
  • All shows must be all-ages and have a PWYC option. 18 years and under, get in free.
  • We don’t tolerate violence, hatred, and oppressive behaviour. This includes but is not limited to sexualized violence or harassment, racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ageism, and ableism. Violation of this code of conduct includes language, behaviour, and content created or shared in the space (bandnames, lyrics, zines, etc,..)
  • RadStorm takes 30% of the door cover. We don’t normally take anything if musicians make less than $150 unless the musicians offer. Since we’re a dry-space, this helps us pay the rent and other bills.
  • We try to do at least one Radstorm fundraiser show per month (or more!). This is a big part of how we fund the space. If you are into playing a fundraiser show, let us know!
  • The space is on the ground floor with a small ramp to get in the building and has two single-stall gender-neutral bathrooms.

• Statement to be read at shows:
• A statement needs to be read out at all shows (usually between sets at some point). It’s written on the wall. It goes something like this:
  • Radstorm is a volunteer, collectively-run space with Anchor Archive Zine Library, Inkstorm Screenprinting Studio, and Sadrad Music Collective. We have open hours every Sunday from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., and we encourage people to get involved to put on shows, jam, be part of the space, etc.
  • Radstorm is located on unceded Mi’kmaq territory.
  • No alcohol or drugs at events, but if you need to drink or use, please leave the space to do so, and you are welcome to come back. But please don’t go directly outside the front door.
  • We do not tolerate violence, hatred or oppressive behaviour. If you see or experience anything at this show, please talk to (the person at the door, the person doing sound….. etc.) or email Radstorm afterwards if you prefer.
  • There are two bathrooms, one near the stage and the other in the middle area of the main space.
  • Have fun! Respect each other and the space!