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/

Eastwood hails from Columbus, and is making their Dayton debut. The band effortless mixes pop, soul, and funk into an original sound that is absolutely engaging. Both bands inspire confidence in the next generation of the Dayton music scene. If you’ve been missing Gilly’s and Canal Street Tavern, this is an evening you will not want to miss!
Musicians and bands performing include:

Last summer, 
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UK’s Project Blackbird is on their first US tour, and are prioritizing Dayton as one of their stops! You can see them Tuesday, July 18th at 8pm at The Brightside.
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