This post is part information, part request for advice.

The covers band I play with has been asked to take part in round 1 of a 'battle-of-the-bands' type talent contest in a well-known Paris music venue.

The format is 8 bands present, each having an allotted time slot of 25 minutes (we figure 6 maybe 7 numbers)

Four go through to the next round, on the basis of 'votes' from members of the audience at the end of each band's set. Needless to say, the organiser (Emergenza) gets the bands to fill up the hall with friends and family, thereby selling lots of tickets.

Have any fellow forum members taken part in similar events? How did it go?
What are the key things we should be looking to do (or, more probably, not do?!)
Would you be inclined towards covers (advantage: we know them and play them pretty well) or compositions (we have some that are really quite good but the audience, of course, will not be familiar with them).

All input gratefully received and I will let you know how it went after the event (17 December)

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