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So...
First of all, Comfest is not the worst thing ever. I used to think it was truly a great and unique endeavor and experience, but it has now, FOR ME, lost any charm or sense of purpose that it once had. That's why I no longer volunteer, perform or even attend. Again, FOR ME, it has lost what had made it special. It is too big, too unfocused, and way too rife with the self-interests of some of its aging power-mad organizers. BUT, it is free, it is fun for many many people and it is not a corporate shill. Thus I would have to say that it is a good thing and that the world is a better place with a Comfest than without.
Second, The Community Festival is a festival related to not "The Community" but "A Community." Specifically an aging Community of hippy types that were probably afforded no sense of power in high school and now that they have it, refuse to relinquish it. Although they proclaim to be seeking young blood, they will not relinquish control. I'm looking at you EC and Program Committee. I just feel sorry for these people because true power comes from within otherwise it's simply despotism.
When I was on the EC, I tried very hard to eliminate the application process, because it conveyed a notion that it was an open selection process which it is not. Although these things help those "bands on the bubble" (translation, filler for the less than desirable slots), volunteering does not get you a slot and applying does not get you a slot (the headlining bands rarely actually apply per se). What gets you a slot is a major draw and mostly the personal championing of a senior member on the Entertainment Committee (EC).
So if you really want a Comfest slot, have Mark Fisher love your band or become a client of Lee Bass or Gabor Klein. Having a "hot chic" or two in the band also definitely helps.
Otherwise, just enjoy it or enjoy b*tching about it. Volunteering is way more fun than just attending and gives you an "in" to the internal politics which drives the festival and selection. After all, it is a privately organized festival that is open to and provided for the general public. It's their party, but you are all invited and that's a nice thing. They put a lot of work into it all year long and deserve the right to choose who plays just like SXSW.
Besides, unless you are playing the last two slots on Saturday night on the main stage, playing Comfest is not going to make or break your career. I've had really fun Comfest sets and some where I'd rather be eating a fish boat.
So go or don't, volunteer or don't its your choice. And feel free to b*tch too if you want, it's your right as an AmeriKKKan citizen. Just don't delude yourself that it'll make a difference or that anyone cares. Life aint fair and not everybody likes you or your music. Doesn't mean it's good or bad.
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