Changes are Coming ...
Some changes are already here (like the addition of league movement arrows and closing loopholes where the same band could be purchased twice). Some more are on the way. These include:
1. Faster processing
2. A band value realignment to reflect the increased volume of data held and lessons learned so far  (on 09 October) 
3. A sales push to get new users in.

If you have any change suggestions / comments please visit the forum.


How are the Band / Artist values calculated?
Values are based upon UK chart sales (albums and singles) over the previous few years together with recent and future UK concerts. More minor factors such as UK awards received, important band news and radio airplay are also taken into account. Values can therefore increase for example when future tours or album releases are announced or when the album hits the charts.  Values will start to drop after a period of inactivity.

In addition, bands owned earn you cash each week if, for example, they have a hit or play a gig during that period, but they also incur a maintenance charge which increases with band value. Spotting active, up-and-coming bands is therefore the way to go!

It is important to note therefore that a band's value won't necessarily increase in, for instance, the week they play the Reading Festival as the increase for that will have been added when it was announced. They would get plenty of cash coming in that week though.

When are values updated?
Each Sunday at around 5pm values will be updated and income and expenditure accounted for.

How do I start a line-up?
Once you've signed-up (using the 'Click Here to Get Started' button) and have logged in you will see a 'Manage Your Account' section in the members control panel on the right. From here you can join a new league which will prompt you to add a line-up, or you can manage any existing line-ups. Alternately, you can follow the 'Public Leagues' menu option and select a league to play.

How do I buy bands?
Once you have a line-up you will see 'Buy this Artist' below the 'Worth' when looking at any band's details. Click on this to add this band to a line-up of your choice (selected on the subsequent screen), assuming you have the cash available of course. 

How do I sell bands?
Band sales can be made by going to the 'Manage your account' section in the right-hand Members Control Area. You can then 'View Your Current Line-Ups'. Clicking the 'Manage' option here shows your line-up and allows you to sell any owned. Selling incurs a 10% sale fee.

If I buy an artist do I get revenue from all of the bands he performs in too?
In short, no! If you buy Pete Doherty for instance you get the income from any singles, albums, tours etc under his solo name. You have to buy The Libertines and Babyshambles if you want to get income achieved under those names too.

The exception is where artists collaborate in their own names and are named in the artist name in the case of chart entries (E.g. Dizzee Rascal and Florence and the Machine on 'You Got the Dirtee Love' or Ke$ha featuring 3OH!3 on 'Blah Blah Blah'). In the first instance Dizzee Rascal and Florence and the Machine share the revenue.

How much are Private Leagues / More Line-Ups?
Private leagues are 1000 credits to create (£10) and is only payable by the person creating it. You can then invite as many friends as they like to join you. New line-ups over and above your 2 free ones are 250 credits (£2.50) each. Hopefully you will consider that very reasonable (especially after Paypal take their cut) as we need to fund the site somehow ;-) Clicking on any ads of interest or buying your iTunes tracks through us would also be appreciated.

What Internet browser do I need?
Fantasy Band Manager has been tested on IE7 and later, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera and should operate correctly on them. Problems may be experienced with IE6 and earlier due to it's lack of support for modern web standards. Please report any faults to admin@fantasybandmanager.co.uk.

Who Are We?
The site is by music fans for music fans. The idea came from frequent debates about who was best at spotting the next big thing and after a lot of hard graft and experimentation the fantasy league concept and web site were born. It is very young though so please spread the word ... and feel free to suggest new bands or changes in the forum. Thanks.