The multi-week, battle of the bands contest that started last weekend will see 20 bands competing for a paid set during Short’s 13th anniversary celebration in Bellaire.
The Prize: 20 bands are vying for the chance to play this festival stage in April. (Photo/Mike Murphy IV)
Traverse City’s Benjaman James calls it an amazing “exposure opportunity.”
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Apparently, 19 other Michigan bands agree.
Benjaman James
James and his band were among the first two competitors to perform last weekend in Bellaire as part of the first round of Short’s Brewing Co.’s inaugural “Battle of the Bands.”
“There was an awesome crowd and they actually encored us,” James said of the unusual competition staged by Short’s to select a band for a paid performance slot at the brewery’s 13th anniversary party on April 29, when more than 3,000 people are expected to turn out in downtown Bellaire.
Bands will compete at Short’s in front of judges on Sunday afternoons for the next several weeks. Once the early rounds are completed, Short’s will announce which bands will advance to the semi-final round in mid-March.
Each band plays three songs, including at least one original tune, for a live audience as well as a panel of judges that includes representatives from the Earthwork Music collective as well as the Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology. Judges will review the bands based on stage presence, “tightness,” the quality of the original song and their overall party “vibe.”
Bands with the highest overall scores will battle on April 2 for the winning spot at the anniversary festival.
The Gasoline Gypsies
The competition began Sunday with performances by Benjaman James and Detroit’s Zander Michigan. The next round in the contest takes place at 4 p.m. Sunday at Short’s Brewing in Bellaire with performances by the Michigan bands Downright Decent> from Grand Rapids and Risky Brenda from Manchester.
Others scheduled to perform in coming weeks include Hurry Home, Red Herring, The Gasoline Gypsies, ellyeahdehd, Impulsive Hearts, Dos Ultra, Tell Yo Mama, Jack Pine, Lucy’s Brown Seville, Kronie, Theo Batzer & The Moon Surfers, Hot ’n Bothered, G-Snacks, Act Casual and Strobelite Honey.
“It went really well,” James said of the initial round. “It’s an interesting competition and a nice showcase and opportunity for local acts.”
Taking Over Bellaire: Last April’s festival drew a huge crowd. (Photo/Mike Murphy IV)
James noted that Short’s anniversary festival “draws a ton of people” each year.
“I am very proud of my band, so an exposure opportunity like this is amazing,” he said. “We’re also very fond of Short’s and play the brewpub often, so it would be very cool to play the festival.”
Details about headlining acts and ticket information for the upcoming anniversary festival are expected to be released Feb. 17.
Get the full battle of the bands schedule online at shortsbrewing.com.
And check out a Local Spins photo gallery from last year’s anniversary celebration here: https://localspins.com/weekend-photo-gallery-show-recap-watching-foxes-cadillac-three-outer-vibe-reverend-horton-heat/
Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC
