FAQs
Unsure about anything we do? Got a burning question but don’t want to ask the committee directly? Then this is the page for you! Below are some of the most common questions we receive, from newcomers and regulars alike!
If you can’t find your question here, please reach out to the committee via instagram, discord or email. These links can be found on the Contact Us page of this website. Alternatively, simply approach a committee member at one of our events!
General Questions
Will I be welcome at No Wave?
No Wave is proud to be an inclusive and welcoming space to anyone and everyone who is interested in alternative music, irrespective of colour, sexuality, gender or any other factor. The only people not welcome at No Wave events are those who would discriminate against others, or would make others feel unsafe or unwelcome.
Is there any cost to join or attend No Wave events?
No cost whatsoever – the only time we require a member to pay is if they wish to use our rehearsal space and equipment to practice with a band.
Do you keep track of my attendance at events?
Not at all – anyone is free to turn up at events as often as suits them. We don’t track attendance, so pop in whenever you feel like it!
Do I have to enjoy Rock/Metal/any specific genre of music to go to No Wave?
Nope! If it’s not charts, it’s No Wave! Anything and everything non-mainstream is under our banner!
I like Alternative music but I also really enjoy pop as well. Is that a problem?
Absolutely not – while we request that mainstream pop music isn’t added to our community playlists, what you listen to in your own time is absolutely up to you!
I think that (insert artist or genre) is cringe. Will I have to interact with fans of them/it?
Quite possibly. No Wave is inclusive of any and every alternative genre, and we don’t condone elitism or gatekeeping. You’re free to hold your own opinions on music, but we will not tolerate excluding or insulting anyone based on their music taste (or for most other reasons).
I only want to come along for one specific type of event / I’m a part of other societies. Is that ok?
If you only want to come along to specific events, whether its a specific type of event or just on an individual basis, you’re more than ok to. No Wave is supposed to be a friendly, chill place to be, and we welcome people at our events no matter how often they attend or what other hobbies they have.
How do you tell members about your upcoming events?
We have four primary means of communicating about events: Our discord server, our instagram page, announcements at our events, and this site. You can find links to our social pages on this site, and check our Regular Events and Upcoming Events pages to find information on what we’re doing!
What events do you run outside of Open Jams and Regular Socials?
Outside of those two regular events, we also occasionally run Bar Crawls, Basement Nights, No Wave Gigs, Pub Quizzes and more. For details about these events, check out the Regular Events page. We’ll make sure to broadcast information about these less common events as much as possible via the channels discussed above.
I’d like to come along but I don’t know anyone. What should I do?
If you’re anxious about not knowing anyone, check our Meet the Team page for information about our committee members, and approach any of them at one of our events. They’ll be happy to talk to you and help introduce you to others in the society!
I’d really like to join the committee / contribute more to No Wave. How do I do this?
No Wave runs our Annual General Meeting towards the end of Semester 2 every academic year. This is when we elect our next committee. If you’d like to learn more about this, ask any current committee member about the roles or process. In the meantime, No Wave is always looking for regular members to help newcomers feel more welcome.
“I’m a big fan of Alternative Music but hate how woke/political they’ve made it! Who can I go to to rant about how much I hate minorities?”
Not us.
Open Jams
When and Where are your Open Jams?
Monday from 7pm-10pm at The Basement, found underneath Rubix in the Student’s Union Building.
I don’t play an instrument but would still like to come to the Open Jams. Is that okay?
Absolutely!
I don’t play an instrument but would like to learn. Do you give lessons?
No Wave as a society isn’t allowed to give or coordinate music lessons for members. If you would like to learn using our equipment, you are welcome to, as long as you purchase the Music Pass.
Do I need to bring anything to the Open Jams?
Ideally we need musicians to bring their own Guitars, Bass Guitars and Drumsticks, alongside any Guitar Pedals or other specialised equipment. You may be able to borrow another member’s equipment, so long as you make sure to ask first, and are respectful of other people’s gear.
I’m interested in playing a specific song / joining a band. Will you help me with that?
We have a specific section of our discord server dedicated to requesting specific songs for Open Jams, and for co-ordinating with other musicians. We’d also encourage you to speak to other musicians at the Open Jams about learning specific songs or joining bands if that interests you!
I am / my band is interested in using your equipment and rehearsal space. How do we do that?
First, you have to purchase the Music Pass from the Student’s Union Website. Then, reach out to one of our Gig Officers, who will coordinate the basement’s usage across every band who wants it. The storeroom has swipe access and is monitored by camera, and No Wave keeps a constant log of our equipment’s condition and usage.
Is attendance mandatory for Open Jams?
As above, we don’t track attendance for Open Jams.
Do I have to pay to attend Open Jams?
Not unless you want to use the equipment and rehearsal space outside of our Open Jams.
Regular Socials
How do your Regular Socials work?
Our Regular Socials run every Tuesday evening at Wates House, from 7:30pm. On Tuesday mornings, we post a link to a communal Spotify playlist on instagram and Discord, which any member can add up to three songs to, provided they aren’t modern pop (and abide by any decades night rules). When the social begins, the playlist is put on, and we spend a few hours socialising together.
What’s a Decades Night?
Certain socials will be Decades Nights, where we only accept music from certain decades. We also run costume competitions themed around each decade. This year, our Decades nights are:
– 70’s (and earlier) Night: Tuesday 8th October
– 80’s Night: Tuesday 22nd October
– 90’s Night: Tuesday 5th November
– 2000’s Night: Tuesday 19th November
Are there any rules about what I can add to the playlist?
Yes. Firstly, as above, we won’t accept modern pop music, songs that don’t fit within decades nights, and we usually limit playlists to 3-5 songs per person. Outside of that, we also can’t accept songs that break union rules, including songs that feature racial or homophobic slurs, songs that feature excessive swearing or other foul language, and songs with particularly violent themes. This is at the request of Wates House, because we share the space with its regular patrons.
Your Regular Socials are at a bar. Do I have to drink if I come along?
Not at all. Many of No Wave’s members are sober, and drinking at No Wave events is an entirely personal choice. If another member makes you feel uncomfortable for the choice you made, please approach a committee member.
There seems to be a lot of fans of Rock/Metal music. Will they be upset if I add something else to the playlist / do I have to be a fan of specific genres to come to socials?
Nope! No Wave’s socials (and playlists, by extension) are a huge melting pot of anything that’s not charts. While songs that you don’t like may come on while you’re at a Regular Social, everything and anything that falls under the No Wave banner is encouraged.
Social Media
I’ve noticed there’s different roles on your Discord Server for “No Wave Boomer” and “Arch-Boomer”. What do those mean?
No Wave Boomers are the members of the most recent old committee. (In this instance, the 2023-24 committee). Arch Boomers are members of older committees, who’ve asked to maintain the role. Both of these roles exist so that current committee members have someone to go to if they have questions or need advice!
