‘You are performing at the Pinguin Radio Showcases during ESNS’
Great that you’re coming to perform at the most fun showcase festival in the Netherlands! Below is all the information, instructions, and tips to help you make the most of it for your act!
Pinguin Radio Showcases
Address: De Drie Gezusters, Grote Markt 36-39, 9711 LV Groningen
The following is based on our experience over the past 15 years. Some decisions may seem a bit illogical, but they’re probably due to the chaotic, complex infrastructure of the legendary venue where the festival is held. If you really can’t find the answer to your question here, email us at support@pinguinradio.com.
The Showcase Phenomenon
A showcase is a way to show who you are, what you can do, and what you stand for. This is, of course, for the regular ‘fans,’ but our showcase is unique because there are many “pros” in attendance—bookers, managers, and agencies from all over Europe. Set times are short, so make sure you play your strongest set. No filler tracks, just your bangers. Don’t get discouraged if the crowd shifts; sometimes another act starts that people also want to see during your performance.
Artist Page – Important!!!
A detailed digital schedule will be created, which can also be accessed via an app on your phone. In addition to the timetable, visitors can find information about acts they love. It’s crucial that all acts have their artist page on www.musisum.com fully updated. Ensure it’s complete!
Schedule (You’ll only be visible after registering on www.musisum.com)
An extensive digital schedule will be created and accessible via the app. Besides the timetable, visitors can find detailed info about the acts. Make sure your artist profile on www.musisum.com is updated.
Complete Your Artist Profile!
If, for example, the programmer of Sziget loves your band during your showcase, they’ll look for more information in the schedule that evening to consider booking you. So make sure your profile is complete with your logo, band photo, social media links, bio, band members, etc. Go to www.musisum.com and sign up. If your band profile already exists without you creating it, claim your band name. Once approved, you can update your profile.
The Most Important Thing: Play Your Best Set Ever!
There will be many important people from the music, venue, and festival world in attendance. Past editions have seen attendees from Sziget, Rock for People (CZ), Glastonbury (UK), Paaspop, Pinkpop, and more. Play the set of your life, regardless of how many people are in the audience. Remember, you can’t tell from the outside who might be a booker or programmer, but they’re always looking for something special. They want to discover the next big thing. Relax, enjoy yourself, and ensure your promo materials are ready! Bring things like cards, stickers, shirts—anything that helps sell yourself.
The Second Most Important Thing
The schedule is sacred, especially the end time! Each band is allocated a one-hour slot, which includes setup and teardown time. For example, if you play for 30 minutes, you have 20 minutes to set up after the previous act has torn down, and 10 minutes to clear the stage after your set. Don’t linger for drinks or chats—ensure your colleagues can start their show on time. A clock and schedule are posted near every stage. The standard playing time is 30 minutes unless otherwise instructed by the host.
More bandinfo after the massage from Music Rights on Tour.
New: Sena, Norma, and Buma Stemra have a spot at the Pinguin Radio Showcase where you can bombard them with all your questions!
“We noticed in the lineup of the Pinguin Radio Showcases during Eurosonic that you’re scheduled to perform on one of the days. From Wednesday, January 15, to Friday, January 17, our Servicedesk colleagues will be present at the Pinguin Radio Showcases during Eurosonic, at the Drie Gezusters venue. This is part of the joint initiative by BumaStemra, NORMA, and Sena: Music Rights on Tour. Do you have questions about registering your repertoire or your royalties? Our colleagues will be happy to assist you. You can easily schedule an appointment via this link: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH DENNIS!!!!
If you schedule an appointment through this link, you’ll also receive a well-stocked goodie bag!”
More band info for the Pinguin Radio Showcase festival:
BE ON TIME!
Make sure you’re on time. Groningen is far away for some and VERY BUSY during the festival. Parking spots near the venue are scarce in the evening, so expect to walk some distance if you need to park.
Parking (Reserve Your Spot!)
You can’t drive up to De Drie Gezusters. Drop off equipment nearby while the driver parks the car. You can reserve a spot at the Forum garage, a 4-minute walk from De Drie Gezusters, at this link. It’s a safe garage with cameras, so you can leave items there before or after your performance.
Check-In at the Terrace First!
There’s a recognizable covered check-in point on the terrace in front of De Drie Gezusters. This is where you’ll check in as a host or band. We’ll confirm that all bands are present, tell you how to get to your stage, and provide tokens (2 per band member). Arrive early—2 hours beforehand—so you can relax, enjoy other bands, and prepare for the performance of a lifetime.
Promo Tips
Create as much buzz as possible around the festival. Share the schedule, post stories, and use the hashtags #pinguinshowcases or #prs.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT use “We play @ ESNS”
DO use “We play @ Pinguin Radio Showcases during ESNS”
Flyers/stickers
Flyers may be laid out in De Drie Gezusters on the day of “hosting” and playing, provided they bear a logo of Pinguin Radio Showcases. Otherwise, flyers will be removed by the serving staff.
Stickers may be handed out, but realize that if they are put on things inside De Drie Gezusters that the band will be held responsible for removing them. So if there is a cost associated with that for labor or for any damage it will be recovered from the band whose sticker it is.
Technical Details, Backline provided bij Q-FACTORY
- Backline: Provided equipment includes guitar amps (Fender Twin Reverb, Marshall MG100 HDFX + cab), bass amp (Ampeg SVT450 + cab), and Tama drum kit (cymbals excluded).
- Bring your own instruments, cymbals, and pedalboards.
- DJs: Bring your own DJ set.
Each stage is equipped with a PA system, 4 monitors, and a mixing console (Midas M32 or Behringer X-32).
Catering and Facilities
- No catering is provided; each band member receives 2 drink tokens.
- Water is available on stage.
- No backstage or dressing rooms are available. Come prepared!
You can eat at De Drie Gezusters. It’s tasty and not expensive!
The stage host, the person we’ve been in contact with, will inform us in advance about how many band members will be coming. Upon arrival, there will be an envelope ready for each band at the central check-in point on the terrace, containing all the drink tokens, counted out and ready for you!
Water on stage
When you perform, there will be bottles of water available on stage. Other beverages are at your own expense, aside from the two tokens each musician receives upon arrival.
Backdrop
No backdrops can be hung. This is to prevent a mess with banners that don’t quite fit or fall down. Through QR codes near the stage, which we will provide, the audience can easily access your band profile.
Band info continues after this message from Bax Music:
New: Bax Music now has a shop right in the middle of the Drie Gezusters. So, did you break a string, forget your drumsticks, damage a drumhead, or need a new pick? No problem! Bax Music’s popup shop has got you covered!
More band info for bands who play @ The Pinguin Radio Showcase Festival:
Backline
The backline on stage must be used. It’s top-notch every year! Only bring your own instruments, cables, pedalboards, keyboards, cymbals, snare drum, bass drum pedal, drumsticks, and picks. Whoever plays on the amplifier is responsible for the equipment and will be held accountable if it gets damaged. The reason for not allowing personal amps, etc., is that it’s been so busy in recent years that carrying large equipment through the crowd became impractical.
Backline Equipment provided by Q-FACTORY
- Guitar amp: Fender – Twin Reverb
- Guitar amp: Marshall MG100 HDFX + cab
- Bass amp: Ampeg SVT450 + cab
- Drums: Basic Tama kit (cymbals not included, bring your own!)
Note! Every DJ must bring their own DJ set!
- Guitarist: Only bring your guitar, pedalboard, and cables.
- Bass guitarist: Only bring your bass, pedalboard, and cables.
- Drummer: Only bring your beater and cymbals. Optionally, bring your own sample gear, etc.
- Singer: Bring your own mic and effects. There are microphones available, but if you prefer your own, feel free to use it!
- Playing harp or keyboards? Bring your instrument, and we’ll ensure it’s amplified.
Note! Every DJ must bring their own DJ set!
Technical Setup
Each stage has a sufficient PA system with four monitors and as many groups.
The mixing console in every hall is a Midas M32 or Behringer X-32 with an iPad.
- PA: 4 x SRM 450 tops, 2 x SRM 1850 subwoofers
Standard channel layout on the mixer:
1-8: Drums
9-10: Guitar
11: Bass
12-13-14: Vocals
After that, any additional instruments are assigned channels. This prevents reconfiguration during changeovers.
If your sound engineer is coming along, they can preload their settings and bring them on a USB stick. You can do this here: Midas Consoles Downloads.
No riders needed!
The backline setup is fixed. It cannot be rearranged due to the short turnaround times throughout the festival. However, you can bring a list of additional instruments that need amplification, such as vocals, keyboards, saxophones, or harp. You’ll find out who to give this list to (the stage manager) at the central check-in point on the terrace. Do not send this in advance! The stage host will be present at least two hours before the event and can go over any details with the stage manager. Don’t email or text; this is only handled on the event day.
Stage Management
Each host acts as the stage manager or brings their own. This person ensures that bands don’t run over their time—neither for setup nor performance.
Presenter
If you want, bring one along or do it yourself! We’ve found that having someone introduce the band and talk about the host and schedule works really well. It ties everything together nicely.
Own Sound Engineer: Perfectly Fine!
If you have one, bring them along. Great and welcome! Let us know in advance. If you don’t, we’ll provide an FOH technician who will also handle monitors. You don’t need to arrange this beforehand—simply inform the stage host, who will be there two hours before the event.
The Team Behind This Event
The technical setup is handled by Ortrun, a renowned sound company from Groningen. They are supported by students from ROC Roadtrip, who are studying sound engineering.
Everyone involved in this festival is volunteering. The fact that this incredible event exists is thanks to their efforts. While they may not necessarily be musicians themselves, they dedicate their time and effort to making the legendary Pinguin Radio Showcases even more legendary. If something doesn’t meet your expectations, let us know, but do so in a way that’s constructive and manageable.
One Last Thing:
Each band/act can only perform once at this edition of Pinguin Radio Showcases. Occasionally, a band might be scheduled by a host and also want to perform through their own initiative. In such cases, the band must choose which option works best for them.