The Evens at Fort Reno last August. (Photo by Joseph Leonardo

It’s that time of year again—the Fort Reno summer concert series is now accepting band applications!

But after last year’s debacle—in which the decades-old annual concert series almost wasn’t, thanks to new regulations imposed by the National Park Service—many are wondering if this year’s series will still happen.

In an email to DCist, longtime series organizer Amanda MacKaye says she has “no comment on matters right now,” but says she’s encouraging bands to get their submissions in, so that’s a little promising. On the Fort Reno Web site, it says that “nothing is confirmed yet about a concert series this summer,” but nonetheless invites bands to submit their demos for consideration.

As always, the submission guidelines are the same: be creative, send physical music, don’t be professional (no EPK’s, don’t have a press person or booking agent submit for you). Also, no covers! Here are the nitty gritty details:

• The Fort Reno summer concert series is not part of the music “industry”. Introduce your band and music in a way that is creatively comfortable for you and expresses who you are and why you want to play the big red stage.
• We don’t need press information or pictures (unless you want to draw something for the refrigerator gallery); lists of shows or bands you’ve played with.
• Include the URL for your web presence if you have that (its fine if you don’t), so there is no need to print out that material.
• Revel in the moment that you/your band can be more than a neat & tidy folder with papers in it. Just don’t forget to include your name and contact information.
• We still ask for physical music demos…cd, tape, vinyl. Homemade copies are perfectly acceptable, but please provide more than one song. We don’t book cover bands and ask that bands not play cover songs in their set. We don’t accept EPK’s.
• The concert series strives to encourage kids to start bands and participate rather than just watch and consume, so please tell us the ages of your band members. We are dedicated to supporting the music life of Washington, DC. Only artists from this area are eligible for consideration. Currently that is defined as within the Capital Beltway. All music styles are encouraged and welcome, however from year to year the aim of the series may change and that can drive selections.

Here’s hoping this summer goes off without a hitch.