The month-long competition kicks off in Grand Rapids on Saturday and boasts 20 Michigan bands and artists. The lineup and more at Local Spins.

Introducing the 2024 Battle of the Bands: The Stray is building on — and expanding — its March event. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
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Year Three for The Stray’s month-long “Battle of the Bands” is all about diversity – and expansion.
“Our growth efforts have focused on featuring more diverse bands, including bands that wouldn’t traditionally be in a Battle of the Bands, creating room for more artists to participate, and finding ways to better support artists in their creative and professional journeys,” said Hunter VanKlompenberg, music and arts manager for The Stray, a Grand Rapids café that specializes in live music and hosts the West Michigan-based competition.
“Last year, increased genre diversity was a major focus of ours. We’re excited to see that continue this year. … We were also excited to get a larger number of female-fronted acts than we’ve typically had apply.”

Hunter VanKlompenberg (Courtesy Photo)
In that vein, The Stray’s 2023 band battle – with its first round starting at 5:45 p.m. Saturday with five Michigan acts facing off – boasts everything from hip hop to prog-rock to folk-fired jazz.
Not only that, but this year’s edition of the battle features an extra round of performances, expanding the number of competitors from 15 to 20.
And the prize incentives have grown, too: The first place winner – awarded on March 30, the night of the finals – will take home $600, with $300 for second and $200 for third and fourth. The overall winner also receives other artist services, and all non-finalists will receive $50 the night of their performance.
Isabel Elise Photography will also provide a professional photo shoot for all finalists on March 30.
“Before we even determined the lineup, I knew we were in for a good year,” VanKlompenberg said. “We had a very strong group of applicants. Not necessarily all the most well-known yet, but many artists who are taking their craft seriously, and with a wide variety of styles, too.”
Variety certainly describes the lineup in Saturday’s first round, with Simply in Time (alt-funk/rock/soul), Empress Eyes (indie-rock/pop), The Cosmoknights (rock), Thot Squad (hip hop) and After Midnight (rock).
Tickets to attend the four battle rounds are $7 each; $10 for the finals. Seating is limited at the intimate venue; tickets are available online here.
“Availability for this Saturday is getting pretty low already with excitement building for opening night,” VanKlompenberg said. “Last year, our finals night sold out within six minutes of going on sale.”

Last Year’s Winner: Short Panic at last weekend’s Jammie Awards. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
VanKlompenberg noted that it’s been satisfying to see past winners and competitors find success as they move forward with their careers. First-year winner Whorled, a world music trio, just won two WYCE Jammie Awards for its most recent recording, and several others have earned critical acclaim and a growing fan base. And last year’s winner, Short Panic, electrified a packed crowd Friday at Elevation inside The Intersection during the Jammies with its funk-rock assault.
“It’s incredible to see artists we’ve worked with continue to grow and succeed and reach new levels,” he said.
“The goal has always been to create an event that helps all involved bands grow, network and get paid for their craft. We’re beginning to see a trend that the bands who do well here are going to be the ones to watch in the next year or two, because they usually have big things coming just around the corner.”
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