Battle of the Bands
Get ready to make history at Arizona’s largest event! In celebration of this year’s theme, A State of Wonder, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible homegrown talent that makes the Grand Canyon State so magical.
We’re inviting local musicians, creators, and rockstars from every corner of Arizona to step into the spotlight, showcase their sound, and go head-to-head in a clash of talent. Plus, who doesn’t love a little competition?
PLUS, the ultimate showdown will take place inside the iconic Veterans Memorial Coliseum – the legendary Madhouse on McDowell!
If you’re ready to share your music, captivate the crowds, and claim the crown, here is your moment to shine!
🏆 The Prize Packages
We’re giving away epic rewards to elevate your band:
1st Place Grand Champion
- $3,000 Cash Prize provided by Zia Records
- $1,000 Marketing Grant with SMSBlast.io
- $500 Gift Certificate from Hello Merch
2nd Place Runner-Up
- $500 Gift Card to Zia Records
3rd & 4th Place Finalists
- $250 Gift Card to Zia Records
How the Competition Works
🗓️ Qualifying Rounds: October 1, 8, 15, and 22 (Weeks 1–4)
- The Stage: Four (4) bands will perform live every Thursday night during the Fair.
- The Set: You’ll have 20 minutes on stage to mesmerize the crowd and judges.
- The Advancement: Only one (1) winning band from each night will advance to the Grand Finale.
- Voting: In addition to guest judges, we are including live audience voting every night.
- The Reveal: Nightly winners will be announced live on stage as soon as all audience votes are tallied!
🏟️ The Grand Finale: October 29 (Week 5)
- The Ultimate Showdown: The four (4) weekly champions will face off head-to-head inside the iconic Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
- The Set: Each band gets a 20-minute set to bring down the house.
- The “Fresh Set” Rule: To keep the magic alive for returning fans, advancing bands must replace at least one (1) song in their setlist from their Qualifying Round performance.
Ready to Claim the Spotlight?
- APPLY: Submit one (1) application per band below. Following a preliminary screening process, selected bands will be officially invited to compete.
- GET THE DETAILS: Read through the Battle of the Bands Handbook below for full guidelines on eligibility, stage logistics, and judging rubrics.
- TAKE THE STAGE: Bring your passion, hit the stage, and spark a state of wonder across Arizona!