BATTLE OF THE BANDS RULES & REGULATIONS
SDRRMA BATTLE OF THE BANDS
RULES & REGULATIONS
BackgroundThe South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association will be hosting the fourth annual Youth Battle of the Bands on Friday, October 18 as part of the annual South Dakota Rock and Rollers Hall of Fame induction, scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024. This is an opportunity for state-wide youth musicians who want to share their passion for creating and performing music live on stage.
Who Can EnterThis competition is open to all 12th grade and younger musicians that form a rock group outside of school. The majority of band members must be attending a South Dakota public, private, charter, virtual or home school during the 2024/2025 school year. Bands who might have members who are recent 2024 high school graduates are also eligible to enter. No out-of-State bands will be eligible to enter. Accepted genres may include Rock, Hard Rock, Rockabilly, Heavy Metal, Rhythm and Blues, Indie Rock, Pop Rock.
Use of backing tracks or sampling tracks must be kept to a minimum. Rhythm instruments and drum/percussion backing tracks may be used. All instrument solos and vocals must be performed “live” without the use of backing vocal tracks. No Karaoke style performances are allowed.The First-Place winning band from previous SDRRMA Battle of the Bands is not eligible to enter, however, all other bands who either participated in or entered but did not participate are eligible and invited to enter.
Performance Stage & Equipment
SDRRMA will provide a professional stage, sound system and lighting system. Bands may use their own guitars, keyboards, percussion equipment (excluding drum sets) and amplifiers. SDRRMA will provide a “house” drum kit to be used by all participating bands.
Band Registration/Application
• There is no cost to register a band.
• All interested bands must complete the application and submit a video of one (1) song, cover or original, no longer than 5 minutes.
• Videos must be uploaded to YouTube.com to be accessed by SDRRMA. Video link must be included in application. Applications without a video will not be considered.
• There is no limit to the number of bands who wish to apply for the competition and all submitted demos will be fairly judged to determine finalists.
• Deadline for registration is July 31, 2024.
Finalist SelectionA final selection of bands will be announced on or before September 31, 2024. Finalists chosen will be notified by email. Bands selected as finalists will be invited to appear at the “Battle of the Bands” competition at the Alliance in Sioux Falls on Friday, October 18. Showtime is 7pm-10pm and is open to the public. Each band must perform a minimum of 3 songs, originals or covers. Each performance set must not exceed 20 minutes. All finalist bands are responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses.
Each member of finalist bands will receive a commemorative “Battle Of The Bands” plaque and two complimentary tickets for the Battle of the Bands competition. Each member of the first-place winning band will also receive two complimentary tickets for the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction event.
PRIZES
There will be a total of 3 winners:
• First Place: $1,000 in prize money and opens the Saturday Hall of Fame induction Show.*
• Second Place: $500 in prize money.
• Third Place: $250 in prize money.
**First Place winner will be invited to be the opening act at the annual SD Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction event on Saturday, October 19 at the Alliance in Sioux Falls.
Please submit all questions through the “
Contact” form on the South Dakota Rock and Roll Association website.