Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of bands are held at live music events and forums. A popular example includes the yearly Live and Unsigned contest in the United Kingdom. The term is legally trademarked Supernova Entertainment in Canada, but is often used informally, such as when the media coined "Battle of Britpop" to describe the sales battle between Oasis and Blur.
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Battle of Bands is a contest in which many bands, usually rock or metal bands, but often musical acts from a range of different styles, compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Prizes usually include cash, free recording time in a local recording studio, support or main slot at a local or large gig, a piece of new equipment, or a gift certificate.
Traditionally, battles of bands are often held at live music events and forums.
The simultaneous release of albums and singles in 1995 sparked a media-fuelled "Battle of Britpop" between northern England's working-class Oasis and southern England's middle-class Blur.[1] Also in the United Kingdom, the largest annual music contest in a battle of the bands format is Live and Unsigned, which has been operating since 2007. The contest regularly draws 10,000 participants, with the grand prize of a £50,000 recording deal.[2][3][4]
In Canada, the trademark to the term "Battle of the Bands" is owned by the Toronto, Ontario-based indie concert promotions company Supernova Entertainment. The term was trademarked in 1998.[5] Companies such as Yamaha, Rogers, and Paramount Pictures partnered with Supernova Entertainment to create branded Battle of the Bands to gain access to the trademark.
A Battle of the Bands event forms the climax of a number of films, including Bandslam, Blues Brothers 2000, School of Rock, Freaky Friday, and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. The film Drumline puts its own spin on the convention, featuring a battle between marching bands.
In 1968, California band The Turtles released a concept album, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands, with the band playing in different styles from psychedelic to surf music to bluegrass.
In the Take That musical, Never Forget, the show centres around a tribute band working to win the "Battle of the Tribute Bands".
Third World Games have produced a Battle of the Bands card game, which takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the music business. The object is to recruit members into your band, equip them with instruments, win "gigs" and "hit singles" and earn enough "Superstar Points" to win.[6] The game is also available for play on GameTable Online.[7] There is also a Battle of the Bands (video game) and Battle of the Bands (TV movie).
The "battle of the bands" concept has had a heavy influence on reality television. Shows such as the Idol series and The X Factor borrow the basic concept of a "battle of the bands" except with individual singers instead of whole bands, combining the concept with a serial elimination format. There was a brief American series in the vein, The Next Great American Band, that did use whole bands.