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Dayton Battle of the Bands

Paid Leave Takes the Crown as Dayton Battle of the Bands Delivers Its Biggest Night Yet

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A sold-out Brightside ballroom, six fierce finalists, and a packed house that proved Dayton’s music scene is very much alive and loud.

If you weren’t at The Brightside’s Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, you missed something special, and you probably heard about it from someone who was. The ballroom hit capacity, the energy was electric from the first chord to the last note, and somewhere in the crowd, a kid in the front row was watching a local band tear it up like it was the most important thing they’d ever seen. Maybe it was.

This year’s Battle of the Bands was a landmark. For the first time, all playoff rounds were held inside The Brightside’s ballroom and the finale sold out completely. Six bands, Catsteel, Good Soup, Obscured, Paid Leave, Tronee Threat, and Yuppie, brought everything they had to one of Dayton’s most beloved stages. The level of talent on display was a reminder that this city’s music scene is alive and well.

Paid Leave wins the 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands. Photo by Victoria Swearingen

AND THE WINNER IS…

Paid Leave took home the top prize, with Good Soup earning runner-up honors and Yuppie finishing third. But ask anyone in that room and they’ll tell you all six bands showed up to win. The prize package for the champion is no joke: a headlining performance at Levitt Pavilion this summer, a recording session with Huge Face Productions, a merch package from Little Monster Printing, and $1,000 courtesy of The Brightside. That’s the kind of launchpad that can change a band’s trajectory.

THE AFTER PARTY (A FIRST)

This year also marked the first-ever Battle of the Bands After Party, hosted by Toxic Brew and headlined by past winner Freakquency. Because why let a legendary night end before it has to? Big thanks to title sponsors Tony & Pete’s and all the sponsors who helped make 2026’s Battle of the Bands the biggest one yet.

Dayton’s music scene has always punched above its weight. Events like Battle of the Bands are why, and if the next generation of fans crowding The Brightside’s ballroom is any indication, it’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Dayton Has a Music Scene. Battle of the Bands Is Proving It.

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The Bruins performing at Dayton Battle of the Bands at The Brightside

Six local bands battle for the crown at The Brightside on March 7, and the whole city’s invited.

If you’ve spent any time in Dayton’s music scene lately, you’ve probably felt it, something is happening here. New artists are finding audiences. Bands that used to play for twenty people are playing for two hundred. The 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands didn’t cause all of that, but it’s been a pretty good mirror for it.

Six weeks. Twenty-seven bands. Hundreds of people showing up on weeknights to hear original music from artists they’d never heard of before. And now, on Saturday, March 7 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue, it all comes down to one night.

The six acts advancing to the Finale each won their respective genre night, earning their spot in front of a live crowd that voted with their applause and their feet. The bands include: Obscured, Catsteel, Tronee Threat, Good Soup, Yuppie, and Paid Leave.

Libby Ballengee has been running Venus Child Productions and booking at The Brightside long enough to know what a good scene looks like and what it takes to build one.

“Battle of the Bands isn’t just a competition, it’s an engine for growth,” she says. “Over six weeks, dozens of bands built professional skills, captured images and video, and put themselves in front of bookers, festival organizers, and audiences who are actively engaged in Dayton’s creative economy. That’s real ecosystem building.”

sheller performing at The Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale

Of the 27 acts that competed this season, every single one walked away with something stage time, exposure, connections, content. The six in the Finale just happen to be the ones still standing.

The Finale is a general admission, all-ages show at The Brightside, one of Dayton’s best rooms for live music. Doors open at 6:00 PM, music starts at 7:00 PM, and the night runs until 11:00 PM. Every ticket ($15 advance / $20 day-of) comes with one vote toward the championship, so you’re not just watching, you’re part of the decision.

New this year, you can pre-order sandwiches from Tony & Pete’s with your ticket for pickup at the venue. Because good music tastes better on a full stomach.

The winner walks away with a $1,000 cash prize, a professional EP recording session at Huge Face Productions, a custom merchandise package from Little Monster Printing, and a performance slot at Levitt Pavilion Dayton’s summer concert series, one of the most visible stages in the city.

Every finalist receives $250 cash, a live music video from Sound Valley with audio mastering from Huge Face Productions and Dayton Sound Studios, a merchandise discount from Little Monster Printing, and gift cards from Music Go Round and Dayton Pizza Factory. Not bad for a Tuesday night out.

The Details: Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale

Saturday, March 7, 2026

The Brightside Music & Event Venue

905 E. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402

Doors 6:00 PM | Show 7:00 PM | All Ages

Tickets: $15 advance / $20 day of show

https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/dayton-battle-of-the-bands-2026-finale-2026-03-07-the-brightside-music-event-venue-dayton-b892e6

daytonbattleofthebands.com  |  thebrightsidedayton.com

The 2026 Dayton Battle of the Bands is presented by The Brightside in partnership with Venus Child Productions and Sound Valley.

THE BATTLE IS BACK: Dayton’s Biggest Musical Showdown Returns to The Brightside

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The search for Dayton’s next breakout artist begins this winter. The Dayton Battle of the Bands is officially back for its sixth season, turning up the volume at The Brightside Music & Event Venue starting Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Dayton Battle of the Bands at The Brightside / Photo contributed

With new title sponsor Tony & Pete’s on board, this year’s competition is more than just a series of concerts, it’s a six-week gauntlet of talent featuring over two dozen local acts. From the heavy riffs of Metal night to the smooth grooves of Funk and Blues, the series offers a front-row seat to the best the Gem City has to offer.

What’s at Stake? This isn’t just for bragging rights. The overall winner will walk away with a massive prize package designed to jumpstart their career:

  • $1,000 Cash Prize

  • EP Recording Session with Huge Face Productions at Dayton Sound Studios

  • A Featured Slot on the Levitt Pavilion Dayton summer series

  • Custom merchandise and professional media assets

“We want every band to feel the ‘win’ of playing to a packed house,” says organizer Libby Ballengee. “Between the professional photos and the industry exposure, this is a launchpad for the entire scene.”

The Schedule:

  • Jan 15: Alternative / Rock

  • Jan 22: Americana / Country / Folk

  • Jan 29: Hip Hop / Rap

  • Feb 5: Hard Rock / Metal / Punk

  • Feb 12: Pop / Rock

  • Feb 19: Funk / Blues / Jam

  • March 7: THE GRAND FINALE

Doors open at 6:30 PM each week. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. All ages welcome! Grab your tickets at daytonbattleofthebands.com

Exciting Local Music Showcase at The Brightside on Thursday, August 1st

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The Brightside Music & Event Venue is known for it’s Dayton Battle of the Bands series that showcases up-and-coming local musical talent. Last year’s DBB winners, crabswithoutlegs, a 9-piece jazz fusion band, is releasing their very first vinyl record and celebrating this achievement with their friends Six Foot Blonde and Eastwood.

 

Six Foot Blonde is a talented powerhouse coming from Bloomington, Indiana. They’re celebrating their own album release, And Then Some, with a major regional tour across the US. This stop in Dayton at The Brightside is extra special because they get to share the stage with their musical peers.

 

Eastwood, from Columbus, kicks off the evening at 7:30pm. They made their Dayton debut last year to high accolades, leaving local music fans wanting more! They are back and ready to knock our socks off once again.

 

Crabswithoutlegs members hail from both Dayton and Columbus, and have been wowing audiences across the state. Not only did they win Dayton Battle of the Bands, they won The Ohio State University Battle of the Bands too! If you have not yet seen them perform – this is your opportunity to see what all the hype is about.

 

This show is a also great opportunity to stock up on new music! Skeleton Dust Records, a local record shop, is posting up at The Brightside with crabswithoutleg’s vinyl. Six Foot Blonde will have merch and music available as well. Buying original music directly from the bands is a wonderful way to support local music!

 

✨ HOW TO GO? ✨
     August 1, 2024
     The Brightside – 905 E 3rd St, Dayton (inside the VodVil Bar)
     Doors open at 7pm / Music at 7:30pm
     Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door
     Get tickets in advance here: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/101382/orders/new#/
     All ages welcome!

The Fourth Annual Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale

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The fourth annual Dayton Battle of the Bands finale takes place on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at The Brightside Music (905 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402), and features six winning bands from each of the playoff rounds.

The finalists from all six weeks include The Bruins (pop/rock), Sheller (alt/punk/metal), Austin Wolfe (Americana/folk), The Shady Pine (country/bluegrass), Melinamarie (hip-hop/R&B), and Freakquency (funk/jam/progressive).

While the finalists were determined in their categories via a combination of audience and judges’ votes, the final round will be 100% determined by the audience. 

“We do ranked-choice voting so that alleviates the popularity contest issue,” said Libby Ballengee, music booker and promoter at The Brightside. “People can come and vote for their fave band, but sometimes everyone loves one band and they get everyone’s 2nd place vote, and that puts them over the top.”

By eliminating the element of bias, relying entirely on the audience feels like an objective method of choosing a winner.

“I don’t know that any panel of judges I could put together would be fair considering we all have genres we like more than others,” said Ballengee.

Previous weeks’ performances were on The Brightside’s smaller Vod-Vil Bar stage, while final competing bands will make their musical cases and perform once more on the Ballroom stage.

Vying for the Grand Prize, the winner gets a free EP recording session with Dayton Sound Studios and the opportunity to perform at Levitt Pavilion Dayton, among other rewards from Little Monster Printing and Dayton’s Original Pizza Factory.

Dayton Battle of the Bands 2023 winner, crabswithoutlegs, a jazzy nine-piece, has quickly become one of Dayton’s darlings, playing the Levitt and becoming a staple act at The Brightside. There’s a good case to be made for the potential of this year’s winner.

Tickets to Dayton Battle of the Bands are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Each ticketholder will be granted one vote.

The Brightside Music & Event Venue is located at 905 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402.

Ticket link: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/94654/orders/new

Dayton Battle of the Bands 2024 Line-Up Announced

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It’s here! The Dayton Battle of the Bands 2024 line-up has been announced! The 4th annual local music showcase features 6 weeks of playoff rounds starting on January 18, 2024, and a finale on March 9, 2024 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue.

The series was launched in 2020 pre-pandemic by The Brightside, Venus Child Productions, and Sound Valley Dayton. A few of the features that differentiate this showcase from other Battle of the Bands include: playoff rounds are decided by a mix of audience and judge’s votes, each week of the playoff rounds features a different genre of music, and plays down the idea of it being a “competition.”

Photo by Jordan Lynn Freshour

Organizers explained that in this competition, simply participating is a “win.” All the bands who participate get to network with industry professionals, perform in front of area music bookers, and get professional photos from Jordan Lynn Freshour. The finalists who move on all get a cash prize, the opportunity to perform on the big stage at The Brightside, and get a live music video of one of their songs from Ashley Karsen, of Sound Valley Dayton. The grand prize winner gets all of the above, plus free pizza for rehearsals from Dayton Pizza Factory, custom band merchandise from Little Monster Printing, a performance next summer at Levitt Pavilion, and an EP recording session at Dayton Sound Studios.

Along with helping up-and-coming bands get to the next level in their music journey, the Dayton Battle of the Bands team is inspired to help introduce Dayton audiences to new music to love.

“People are busy, so it’s hard to keep up with what’s new with the local music scene,” organizer Libby Ballengee shared with us. “Having a curated showcase like this during the winter especially, when people have fewer other entertainment options, makes it more enticing to come out and check out new bands. We’re trying to stimulate Dayton’s curiosity about the music being created here. Plus the shows are 7:30-10pm, so plenty of time to get home and to sleep!”

FULL SCHEDULE:

Jan 18, 2024 – WEEK 1 – POP / ROCK

– Ace Slite, Arianna Holiday, Dukes of Owls, The Bruins

Jan 25, 2024 – WEEK 2 – AMERICANA / FOLK / SINGER-SONGWRITER

– Austin Wolfe, Jeff William Butcher, Mrs. Midwestern, The Nautical Theme

Feb 1, 2024 – WEEK 3 – HIP-HOP / R&B

– Blanch Robinson, Damac, D. Knight, Dos.Grandiose, MelinaMarie

Feb 8, 2024 – WEEK 4 – ALTERNATIVE / PUNK / METAL

– ATTN Deficit Squirrel, DayGloom, Sheller, Toxic Nobility

Feb 15, 2024 – WEEK 5 – COUNTRY / BLUEGRASS

– Controversy For Breakfast, Possum Creek Ramblers, The Barnharts, The Shady Pine

Feb 22, 2024 – WEEK 6 – FUNK / JAM / PROGRESSIVE / JAZZ

– EverybodyEats, Freakquency, Intergalactic Spaceforce, KindHost

HOW TO GO?

The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St., Dayton, OH

Tickets available at thebrightsidedayton.com by Jan 1, 2024

$10 advance / $15 day of show for the playoff rounds

7pm Doors open / 7:30pm – 10pm music starts

All ages welcome

More information: https://www.daytonbattleofthebands.com/

 

Newly Announced: Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale line-up is set!

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The 3rd annual Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale is happening on March 11, 2023 at The Brightside, and the line-up is now set. After 6 weeks of competition at The Brightside, the top 6 bands will compete in one amazing show!

The finalists include the following bands (alphabetical order – not performance order of the night)

– Crabswithoutlegs
– Josh Webb & The Home Sown Band
– The Luv Locz Experiment
– R3G
– Sam King & The Suspects
– Wreck League

Not familiar with any of the bands participating? That’s the fun! This entire series is a fun way to check out new, local, original music!

How does it work? Each ticket buyer gets one vote (in person). You’ll be asked to rank your top 3 bands in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Unlike the rounds, which were a combination of judge and audience votes, the finale is decided by the audience only.

The grand prize is an EP session at Dayton Sound Studios, the title sponsor of this series. The grand prize winner also gets to perform at Levitt Pavilion Dayton during the summer 2023 concert season, a merch package from Little Monster Printing, pizza for rehearsals from Dayton Pizza Factory & $1000 cash prize.

HOW TO GO?
March 11, 2023
Doors 6pm. Show 7pm.
Music starts at 7pm – we highly recommend you get there by 7 to see all the bands perform.
The Brightside (905 E 3rd St, Dayton)
Tickets are $15 advance
$20 at the door. 
Note: Advance tickets are recommended (this event has sold out!)
Ticket link – https://www.venuepilot.co/events/70559/orders/new

Live Music is back at The Brightside with a 2021-2022 concert lineup

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The Brightside Music & Event Venue has announced their 2021-2022 concert season (listing below), which will run from November 2021 through early April 2022. The season offers a mix of concerts ranging in genre from jazz to metal, dinner theater, shopping events, burlesque, drag and wellness events.

The Brightside is a newer venue downtown, opening in the spring of 2019, just a year before the covid shutdown. After years of sitting in disrepair, the multi-purpose event space was rehabbed by local artists Carli and Hamilton Dixon

The venue hosted a mix of entertainment and private events their first year. During the covid shutdown, they didn’t stop working. While the building was empty, they took the opportunity to continue improving the space, by adding a second-floor loft and giving the exterior a facelift.

Financially, covid was very tough on independent venues across the nation. Pivoting to weddings helped the team make it through the shutdown. Through it all, the team has remained passionate about getting back to live music and public events.

“We were so grateful we got to host some really memorable concerts this summer,” Libby Ballengee, the venue’s event creator shared with us. “However, we’ve collectively decided that our time to shine is autumn through spring when the big outdoor venues like Levitt, Fraze, and Rose are closed for the season. We’re excited to host to bring Dayton audiences amazing up-and-coming national and local acts.”

The Nth Power performs at The Brightside on Nov 9, 2021.

The Brightside kicks off the season on Tuesday, November 9th with a very funky dance party featuring The Nth Power, a sensational trio born out of New Orlean’s Jazz Fest. They’ll be paired with Ernie Johnson From Detroit, a 10 piece afro-funk-rock band that is known for their electric on-stage energy.

Their season also features annual events with Ekoostik Hookah, Scythian, The Werks, and Miss May I, two all-day music festivals, and the Dayton Battle of the Bands. This season includes Sunday evening Dayton Dinner Theater engagements, with live jazz, dinner, and a cult favorite film.

“The winter gets so dark and depressing, I like to host events that lift people’s spirits, including my own!” John Boucuvalas, Dayton Dinner Theater’s owner told us.

Ballengee told us that more dates are to be confirmed soon yet. “We’re not done booking yet, so look for more dates to be announced! We may have a big show over the summer, here or there, but by and large, we’re going to enjoy our summers along with everyone else!”

Ekoostik Hookah performs at The Brightside on Nov 19, 2021.

They’re also focused on providing a safe, indoor experience. The venue has installed UV-C air sanitation filters in their HVAC units. There are also asking guests to wear masks unless a patron shows proof of vaccination, negative covid test, or antibody test result.

Tickets and information for The Brightside events can be found at https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/event-calendar. See list to date of events planned below. Note: Not all events tickets are available for purchase yet.

The Brightside is located at 905 E 3rd St in downtown Dayton and has free, on-site parking.

 

2021-2022 The Brightside Season

Ernie Johnson From Detroit performs at The Brightside on Nov 9, 2021

Tuesday, Nov 9, 2021 – Power Funk from The Nth Power & Ernie Johnson From Detroit

Sunday, Nov 14, 2021 – “A Night in Paris” featuring Howard Hewett & fashion from Curvy Kouture

Thursday, Nov 18, 2021 – Jazz Fusion with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

Friday, Nov 19, 2021 – Ekoostik Hookah with special guests Subterranean

Sunday, Nov 21, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Star Wars & live jazz

Friday, Nov 26, 2021 – Celtic Rock with Scythian and Arbo

Saturday, Nov 27, 2021 – The 10th Annual Werksgiving Celebration featuring The Werks and Dustin Smith & The Daydreamers

Friday, Dec 3, 2021 – Soul-Reggae-Funk Dance Party with Jah Sol and Solistic

Scythian performs at The Brightside on Nov 26, 2021

Sunday, Dec 5, 2021 – Daytime: Katrina Reelfish Presents a Holiday Drag Brunch

Evening: Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Christmas Vacation & live jazz

Friday, Dec 10, 2021 – HoliDayton

Sunday, Dec 12, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Elf

Friday, Dec 17, 2021 – Miss May I with special guests TBA

Thursday, Jan 13, 2021 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 1 featuring Funk, Rock’n’roll, & Jam

Sunday, Jan 16, 2021 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring Wizard of Oz & live jazz

Thursday, Jan 20, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 2 featuring Hip-Hop, R&B, & Soul

Jah Sol performs at The Brightside on Dec 3, 2021

Thursday, Jan 27, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 3 featuring Alternative, Punk, & Metal

Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater premiere featuring The Princess Bride & live jazz

Thursday, Feb 3, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 4 featuring Folk, Americana, & Singer-Songwriter

Friday, Feb 4, 2022 – Punk Rock Prom with Nightbeast, Safe Money, & Knavery

Sunday, Feb 6, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Caddyshack & live jazz

Thursday, Feb 10, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands – Round 5 featuring Dance, Electronic, & Experimental

Monday, Feb 14, 2022 – Valentine Day Dinner & Jazz with the Blue Heron Trio

Thursday, Feb 17, 2022 – Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale

Friday, Feb 18, 2022 – Femme Fatale Dayton Burlesque Revue

Friday, Feb 25, 2022 – ENMY with special guests TBA

Blue Heron Trio performs at The Brightside on Valentine’s Day, 2022

Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 – Sound Valley Winter Music Festival – featuring the winner of the Dayton Battle of the Bands

Sunday, Feb 27, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Airplane & live jazz

Saturday March 5, 2022 – Mardi Gras Extravaganza featuring Solistic & special guests

Sunday, March 13, 2022 – Daytime: Venus Rising Wellness Workshop

Evening: Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Holy Grail

Sunday, March 27, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring Napoleon Dynamite

Sunday, April 10, 2022 – Dayton Dinner Theater featuring The Big Lebowski & live jazz

Tickets and information for The Brightside events can be found at https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/event-calendar. See list to date of events planned below. Note: Not all events tickets are available for purchase yet.