Karaoke at Anime Boston

If you are unsure a song you really want to sing is in our library, bring a copy yourself so you can flaunt your musical prowess for the masses. We will accept multiple types of media within reason. The choice is yours if you want to sing karaoke version of a song or a sing-along with the normal version. A database of available songs will be available at the con. If it is not specified for full version, default is karaoke version. If it is something you really want to sing and you want to make certain you have a lyric sheet, it is always nice to bring your own. Only Japanese songs and anime songs will be allowed to be sung at the karaoke lounge. This is an anime con. There are plenty of karaoke bars out there that will let you sing all the non-anime music. Please try to keep your energy at a manageable level. There are many pieces of expensive equipment around to give the best karaoke. We will be forced to take appropriate action if things get too unorganized. The whole point is to have fun, so we would prefer not go that route.

Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to all registered convention attendees. You must have a valid Anime Boston badge for the day of the contest.
2. Anime Boston Staff and Crew, Guests of Honor, and Industry members are ineligible for the contest.
3. If you compete as a group, all members of the group must sing during the song, either as lead or as backup.
4. No flash effects, fog machines, fake blood, spewing liquids, etc.
5. We reserve the right to disqualify an entrant or stop a performance if we feel it has become inappropriate. If this happens to you and you feel it was unjust, you may appeal the Karaoke Manager after the event.
6. Songs must be from the following categories: Anime, Video game, or J-rock/J-pop and must be no longer than 5 minutes in length. Songs longer than 5 minutes will be faded out once the time limit has been reached.
7. English or other non-Japanese songs from the dubbed version of an anime series or video game are acceptable. You may not change your song choice once your entry has been submitted.
8. No a cappella singing.
9. If contestants bring their own music, they must provide their own songs on CD. We will make a reasonable effort to return your CD to you, but are not responsible for lost or forgotten CDs. It is the responsibility of the contestant to claim their CD after the contest. Unclaimed CDs may be disposed of at our discretion after the convention.
10. Contestants may choose songs from our open mic library if they cannot provide their own music. However, this is done at the contestant's own risk. We are not responsible if the song sounds different from what the contestant was expecting, and we do not guarantee the availability of any particular song.
11. Contestants must provide their own song lyrics, if needed.
12. During the contest, no interaction with the judges or the MC is allowed. Contestants may not touch or approach the judge's table. Contestants may not go into the audience or use an audience member in their act. Actions that encourage general audience participation as a whole (such as asking the crowd to clap along to the song) are okay.
13. The only persons allowed in the performing area are the MC, Anime Boston Karaoke staff and guests, judges, and contestants.
14. All contestants who do not have karaoke versions of their songs must perform with vocal dampening turned on. We want to hear you, not the original vocal track. Vocal dampening has been known to have unexpected effects with some songs, so if you don't have the karaoke version of a song, we strongly suggest that you test out the song first at home.

Judging

Scoring    Contestants will be scored on vocal/singing performance (70%) and showmanship/presentation (30%). In the event of a tie, the audience will be asked to add their votes by means of applause. The judges will then determine the final winner based on audience reaction. All decisions made by the judges are final.

Awards    Prizes will be awarded at the end of the competition to the following winners:       *First place       *Second Place Participation prizes will be awarded to all winners and finalists. In addition, each judge can award a Judge’s Choice Prize at their discretion to the act of their choice. Depending on prize availability, additional prizes might also be awarded.

Conduct

As a convention for anime fans of all ages, Anime Boston has certain standards of behavior which all convention attendees should abide by at all times. Karaoke is no exception. All aspects of the act, including, but not limited to: costume, conduct on stage, and song lyrics, are to abide by no worse than a "PG-13" standard. If you’re in doubt as to whether something is suitable, just ask yourself, "Would I do this in front of my mother?" If you're still in doubt, please email or post and tell us what you have in mind, and we'll work something out. If any violations of this policy occur, Anime Boston Karaoke staff reserves the right to disqualify offenders from the contest or terminate the act in mid-song. In extreme cases, offenders may also be subject to convention penalties including loss of badge and removal from the convention.

General Karaoke Rules

Open Mic Karaoke (Fri and Sat)

Iron Karaoke Contest (Saturday)

Karaoke Contest Entry Form