© 2023 Commotion

COMMOTION FAQs

Hopefully answering all your COMMOTION questions.
General Questions
  • Q:
    When does registration open?
    A:
    COMMOTION student registration will open in April 2025. Pre-registration is open year round. Pre-registration means you will notified when registration opens and be guaranteed a place at COMMOTION for a month from when registration opens.
  • Q:
    Where do I get tickets to the Saturday Showcase?
    A:
    COMMOTION students get free entry to the showcase. Everyone else can buy tickets on the showcase page on the website, when these go on sale in June.
  • Q:
    Who is COMMOTION for?
    A:
    COMMOTION is for
    • Singers
    • Songwriters
    • Musicians
    • Electronic musicians
    • Bedroom producers
    • Beatmakers
    • DJ's
    • Rockquest entrants
    • You've always wanted to be in a band but not had the opportunity
  • Q:
    What is the age range of COMMOTION?
    A:
    You need to be in at least 14 years of age and under 21 years of age at August.

  • Q:
    How much will student tickets cost?
    A:
    COMMOTION 2025 costs $130. This gives you two full days of workshops and entry to Saturday Showcase evening performance.
    If you can't afford this, please contact us as we have a small number of scholarships available thanks to generous sponsors.
  • Q:
    How many students attend?
    A:
    80 students plus tutors and crew.
  • Q:
    Do I have to be a musician to take part?
    A:
    COMMOTION is aimed at aspiring musicians, singers, DJ's and producers. There is no minimum ability level but we expect that you either play an instrument, sing, write songs, DJ, produce music, or have an interest in any of these.
    If you have questions about this, please contact us.
  • Q: 
    How skilled do I have to be?
    A:
    A minimum ability level to take part in COMMOTION is basic proficiency in an instrument, singing, and/or songwriting, or music-tech. There is no compulsion to perform, however students are encouraged and supported to perform and around two thirds of students perform at the showcase in a mix of solo, duo and bands.
  • Q: 
    When does the final programme come out?
    A: 
    We plan to release the final programme 60 days prior to COMMOTION.

  • Q: 
    What does my registration get me?
    A: 

    • 2 days of awesome workshops and panel discussions
    • Entry to the Saturday evening showcase
    • 10% discount card for Beggs MusicWorks (multi-use for 1 yr)
    • A chance to win some music software prizes from Serato
  • Q: 
    What other info will you send me after I sign up?
    A: 

    • We will send all emails to both the student and parent email addresses entered into the registration form.
    • Closer to the event we will reach out to request expressions of interest in any workshops that may have limited places.
    • Finally we will email you an information booklet ahead of the event that has all the info you'll need to have a successful COMMOTION. A printed copy of this will be given to you upon arrival at COMMOTION.
  • Q:
    Can I choose the workshops I want to attend?
    A:
    Yes, absolutely. COMMOTION is a 'choose your own adventure' with a choice of 6-8 workshops on offer in each round. Most are offered twice. Some workshops may require pre-registration and have limits on places. This will be clearly communicated once the programme is finalised. If over-subscribed, places on these workshops will be drawn from a hat.
Performance Questions
  • Q:
    Can we come as a band?
    A:
    Yes! Whole bands are encouraged to attend COMMOTION.
  • Q:
    Will I get a chance to perform on stage?
    A:
    You can apply to perform your original music (Band or solo-duo) as part of the showcase and indicate this on the registration form. Opportunities to perform are limited by the showcase running length and preference may be given to older/more-experienced performers.
  • Q:
    Do I have to perform at the Saturday Showcase?
    A:
    No, there is no compulsion to perform and you can indicate this on the registration form. In previous years, around two thirds of students performed.
  • Q:
    What happens at the Saturday Showcase?
    A:
    This will be a gig with professional sound and lighting for selected COMMOTION students to perform their music as solo/duo/bands or as part of a COMMOTION colab band. Each act will get to perform 1-2 songs. The audience will be COMMOTION students, tutors, crew, families, friends and the general public.
Logistics Questions
  • Q:
    What do I need to bring to COMMOTION?
    A:
    Everyone: Daypack with lunch, snacks, waterbottle, notebook and pen, phone for photos and communication.
    • Guitar and Bass: Your instrument, tuner or app, any pedals/effects you use and an instrument cable
    • Keyboardists: You can bring your keyboard, or use supplied keyboards
    • Drummers: Drumsticks
    • Singers: Yourself
    • Other instruments: Trumpets, violins etc, just bring your instrument
    • Beat makers/producers: Bring your computer and a thumb drive and perhaps a bluetooth speaker.
    • Everyone: Bring a USB thumb drive in case you create something in a workshop.
    Any questions: Just get in touch.

  • Q:
    What do I need to do for meals?
    A:
    You need to bring your own lunch, snacks and water bottle. There is a dairy over the road and a supermarket 5mins walk away but we recommend you come prepared with your own food because breaks are short 15-30min.
  • Q:
    What about accommodation and transport?
    A:
    Accommodation and transport to/from COMMOTION is not provided. We hope that you and your family will make a weekend of it in Nelson.
    G-Block at NMIT will remain open for COMMOTION students, artists and crew between the end of the workshops on Saturday and the start of the showcase across the road at NCMA.
  • Q: 
    Will my computer/instrument be safe?
    A:
    Your gear is your responsibility. It is mostly just COMMOTION students, tutors and crew using the building and we have a designated space to leave bags and instruments while at COMMOTION, supervised by an event staff person. If you wish to leave gear onsite overnight, please check with event crew about where to leave it.
  • Q:
    Where can I hang out between the workshops and the showcase?
    A:
    If you're not being met by family or going home between workshops ending and the showcase, you can hang out in G-Block at NMIT. There will be plenty of people around with artist/tutors and crew having dinner there before the showcase.