OPEN AUX CONTEST

Think you have what it takes to open for SABAI?

Submit your best DJ mix for the chance to perform an opening set at the legendary Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on August 28, 2026.

We are looking for DJs who can bring strong musical selection, creativity, energy, and an original sound to the night. Public support and judging will both be considered when selecting the winner.

THE PRIZE

One selected winner will receive an opening performance slot at:

SABAI presents IKIGAI VANCOUVER
Friday, August 28, 2026
Commodore Ballroom
Vancouver, British Columbia

The prize consists of the performance opportunity only. Travel, accommodations, meals, ground transportation, equipment, and other expenses are not included unless otherwise confirmed in writing by the contest organizers.

The winner must be available to perform in Vancouver on August 28, 2026 and must meet all venue, event, identification, immigration, work authorization, and age requirements.

CONTEST DATES

Submissions open: July 21, 2026
Submissions close: August 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Late, incomplete, inaccessible, or ineligible submissions may not be considered.

HOW TO ENTER

Complete the official submission form. Only one entry per DJ or artist project is permitted unless otherwise approved by the organizers. Please see contest rules below.

There is no purchase required to enter.

CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS

  • Your submission must meet all of the following requirements:

    • The mix must be hosted on SoundCloud.

    • The mix must be no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 30 minutes.

    • The mix must be newly uploaded to SoundCloud on or after July 21, 2026.

    • Previously uploaded or previously published mixes are not eligible, even if they are later made private, renamed, edited, reposted, or re-uploaded after the contest begins.

    • The SoundCloud link must remain active, accessible, and playable throughout the contest and judging period.

    • The mix should represent the type of set you would perform as an opener for SABAI.

    • The submitted mix must be created and performed by the entrant.

    • The mix must not contain unlawful, defamatory, hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate content.

    • The entrant is responsible for ensuring that their submission does not violate the rights of any third party.

    Private SoundCloud links may be accepted if they are accessible without requiring special approval. However, public links are strongly encouraged.

    The organizers may request additional information or proof of the SoundCloud upload date. Any entry that cannot be verified may be disqualified.

  • Entrants must upload a clear press photo or artist image that they have permission to use.

    By entering, participants authorize the contest organizers, SABAI, the event promoter, and their respective partners to use the submitted artist name, photo, biography, social media handle, and portions of the submitted mix to promote the contest, the event, the finalists, and the selected winner.

    An Instagram account is highly encouraged but is not required unless otherwise stated in the submission form.

    Participants must not impersonate another artist, submit another person’s work, or provide false or misleading information.

  • Entrants must:

    • Be legally permitted to enter the contest and perform at the event

    • Be available to perform in Vancouver on August 28, 2026

    • Be able to provide valid government-issued identification if selected

    • Meet all venue and event entry requirements

    • Be responsible for obtaining any necessary travel documents, visas, permits, work authorization, or parental or legal guardian consent

    • Be legally authorized to perform in Canada, where applicable

    • Comply with all submission deadlines and contest requirements

    Employees, contractors, judges, representatives, and immediate family members of the contest organizers may be excluded from entering at the organizers’ discretion.

    The organizers reserve the right to verify the identity, eligibility, availability, and information provided by any entrant.

  • The winner will be selected through a combination of public support and evaluation by SABAI, the contest organizers, and/or an appointed judging panel.

    Submissions may be evaluated based on factors including:

    • Track selection

    • Mixing ability

    • Creativity and originality

    • Musical flow and pacing

    • Technical execution

    • Stage and event suitability

    • Artist identity and presentation

    • Audience response and public support

    • Overall compatibility with the SABAI show

    Public votes, likes, shares, streams, or other engagement may be considered, but they do not guarantee selection as the winner.

    The organizers reserve the right to determine the final judging process, weighting, shortlist, finalists, and winner. All judging decisions are final.

    Artificially generated engagement, vote manipulation, bots, purchased votes, coordinated fraudulent activity, duplicate accounts, or any other attempt to interfere with the contest may result in immediate disqualification.

  • The selected winner will be contacted using the email address or phone number provided in the submission form.

    The winner must respond within the timeframe stated in the notification. Failure to respond, confirm availability, provide requested information, or satisfy the eligibility requirements may result in the prize being withdrawn and offered to another entrant.

    The winner may be required to sign a performance agreement, release, waiver, promotional consent, tax documentation, or other event-related paperwork before the performance is confirmed.

    The performance slot, set time, set length, technical requirements, equipment available, guest list allocation, and additional event details will be determined by the organizers and may be changed as required.

  • The winner must:

    • Arrive at the venue at the time directed by the organizers

    • Follow all venue, promoter, production, safety, and artist-team instructions

    • Perform for the assigned set duration

    • Provide any requested technical or hospitality information by the stated deadline

    • Behave professionally and respectfully

    • Avoid unauthorized guests, equipment, branding, signage, filming, promotions, or performances

    • Refrain from conduct that could harm the event, venue, attendees, SABAI, or the contest organizers

    The performance opportunity may not be transferred, sold, exchanged, or assigned to another person or artist.

    The organizers may revoke the prize if the winner becomes unavailable, provides false information, violates the rules, behaves unprofessionally, or is unable to meet the event requirements.

  • Entrants retain ownership of their original artist materials and performances.

    By submitting, entrants grant the organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to access, review, reproduce, display, share, stream, edit for length, and promote the submitted materials in connection with the contest and event.

    Entrants confirm that they have the authority to submit the mix and accompanying materials. Entrants are solely responsible for any claims arising from their submission, including copyright, trademark, publicity, privacy, or other third-party rights.

    Submission to the contest does not guarantee reposting, promotion, finalist status, feedback, or selection.

  • The organizers reserve the right to:

    • Reject incomplete, inaccessible, misleading, inappropriate, or ineligible entries

    • Remove or disqualify any submission that violates these rules

    • Verify any information supplied by an entrant

    • Request proof of identity, age, eligibility, upload date, ownership, or availability

    • Modify the contest schedule, format, judging process, prize, or performance details when reasonably necessary

    • Suspend, extend, cancel, or reschedule the contest or event due to circumstances beyond their control

    • Select an alternate winner

    • Decide all questions relating to eligibility, interpretation, judging, and administration

    The organizers are not responsible for failed uploads, broken links, deleted SoundCloud files, internet interruptions, email filtering, technical errors, inaccurate contact information, or submissions that are lost, delayed, incomplete, or not received.

    Participation is voluntary and at the entrant’s own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the organizers are not responsible for expenses, losses, injuries, damages, travel disruptions, or other costs connected with entering the contest, attending the event, or accepting the prize.

    This contest is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with SoundCloud, Instagram, Meta, Squarespace, or Ticketmaster.

  • By submitting an entry, you confirm that: You have read and understood these contest rules. You meet the eligibility requirements. The information you provided is complete and accurate. Your SoundCloud mix meets all submission requirements. You are available to perform in Vancouver on August 28, 2026. You authorize the promotional use of your submitted artist materials in connection with the contest and event. * You agree to comply with the decisions of the contest organizers and judges.