FAQ

If you haven't competed in or attended Construction Rocks before you are probably wondering.....

What is Construction Rocks? Construction Rocks is an annual competition for amateur bands made up of individuals currently working in the construction Industry.

What is its purpose? To raise money for charity, to provide an opportunity for otherwise respectable members of the construction industry to get together in a social context, to let their hair down (what remains of it, in some cases) and to allow them to realise their rock and roll dreams just for one night.

Which charity? In 2019, our nominated charity is LandAid. Bands can also nominate their own charity preferences and we encourage these to be Construction Industry related. In 2017 and 2018 we were able to support The Lighthouse Club through sponsorship and surplus raised on the nights. See links to websites for more information on these two excellent charities.

Can I enter? Yes, if you work in the Construction Industry and can form a company band. Sometimes bands include musicians from other construction companies which if kept to a minimum is acceptable. Subject to available places and at the organisers' discretion. Brave solo performers have also been known in the past - if you are interested in going it alone please contact the organisers.

How do I enter? Contact and we will send you an entry form and a covering letter, subject to spaces still being available. You should then return the entry form along with the initial entry fee of £250.

Are there auditions? No. If you're brave enough to enter and quick enough to get your entry form in while there are still places available then we'll be delighted to have you on board.

What is the format of the evening? At the chosen venue doors open at 6pm with the first band on stage at around 6.45pm. Typically there are 8 bands on each evening and the whole event is concluded at about 10.30pm. An afterparty follows for those with stamina and in need of limited sleep.

Do I need to bring my own musical equipment? The venue provides PA, backline (drums, guitar amplifiers, microphones, monitors etc.) plus sound and lighting engineers. Musicians need to bring guitars, basses and keyboards, violins, flutes, trumpets, trombones, tambourines, cellos and other essential items.

What is PAT testing? The venue requires any mains electrical equipment brought by band members to have a valid PAT test label. Typically this would include keyboards and transformers for pedal boards.

How are the winners decided? The best band overall and the best performance are decided by a panel of judges. The judges mark bands on various things including audience reaction, choice of songs and stage presence. Their decision is final and we won't be telling you who they are in advance! The title of 'Best Fund Raiser' is awarded to the band that raises the most money via its official event Virgin Money Giving page by 6pm on the night of the Battle.

Can we bring colleagues and friends to support us? Indeed you can. In fact each band is required to purchase a certain number of tickets for their supporters as a condition of participation.

Can I bring my children? No. We operate a strict over 18s only policy with no exceptions. Not even for you.

If I can't form a band can I still attend? There will be some tickets for sale (subject to availability). Please keep an eye on the Next Event page of the website or contact

Are there any other ways to support Construction Rocks? Yes. If you'd like to sponsor the event or some part of it please contact us. We're open to reasonable offers. E-mail us at for further information. You can also help the bands to raise money by sponsoring them via their Virgin Money Giving pages. There is a link to each band's VMG page from their own page on this website. We'd also be very happy to receive any donations.