CMEAS is dedicated to fostering band exchanges and contacts between acts whether those acts are a part of one of our tours or not. By applying for one of our events, acts are reviewed by a peer group of other musicians (see FAQ-#review for comprehensive description of this process) and those acts that score highly are elligable for assistance in setting up exchanges.

There are no genre requirements and unless the exchange falls under the umbrella of a CMEAS tour this assistance is offered without compensation for CMEAS. The East Anglia Tour 2006 is an example of where band collaboration can go (see events for more information on this event) where an English band seeking gigs in the USA has actually become a partner with CMEAS and provided a series of excellent gigs in the UK. The contacts the Groove Doctors made during applications for the tour inevitably increased their gig base in the US and with the help of our sponsors and partners cover their travel to the US.

This is similar to the experience with the Dutch band Cafe Bar 401 and the Costa Rican band, Gandhi, both of whom CMEAS booked in the UK and in return both bands partnered with us to put on a tour in Holland and Costa Rica respectively.

Other partnerships with international bands (mediated by CMEAS and to be promoted to the community as international tour opportunities) are currently being established in Brazil, Serbia, Mexico, Australia, and of course the USA (one work permit restrictions ease off). Although CMEAS has been focusing on international exchanges there is no reason why gig swaps within a country cannot take place (this has happened with the Groove Doctors and the Convulsions in the UK - click <HERE> to see more groups).

Acts interested in gig swapping should contact our exchange coordinator, Ben Ruth: ben@cmeas.com.