Battle of the Bands: Apply Now!
The Spring Jam™ Battle of the Bands is a series of concert battles that will culminate in an epic showdown at Spring Jam™ 2023. The competition is 100% free to enter. Submit an application to compete against other student bands in preliminary rounds, move on to the Spring Jam™ Final Battle, and be selected as the potential winner of the battle!
APPLICATION PROCESS
Each group/performer that submits an application will be considered to perform at a preliminary concert battle at the Whole Music Club. Qualifying bands will be chosen by Student Events and Entertainment staff on the basis of quality of music and professionalism of application. Groups qualifying for the Preliminary Rounds will be notified by Friday, December 9 and must confirm their ability to perform on their preliminary show date and during the Spring Jam™ Final Battle on Saturday, April 22, should they advance.
Groups not chosen to compete in the Spring Jam™ Battle of the Bands will be considered for future events at the Whole Music Club.
PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
Sixteen student bands/performers will be chosen to perform 30 minute sets at one of four preliminary concert battles in the Whole Music Club. A winner is chosen from each of these preliminary shows to advance to the Spring Jam™ Final Battle. Preliminary round winners will be determined by popular vote at the concert. Additionally, there will be one Judge’s Choice winner selected.
PRELIMINARY SHOW DATES
- Friday, February 3 - 8pm
- Friday, February 10 – 8pm
- Friday, February 17 – 8pm
- Friday, February 24 – 8pm
SPRING JAM™ FINAL BATTLE
Saturday, April 22
The four winners from the Preliminary Rounds and one extra "Judges' Choice" band will advance to the Spring Jam™ Final Battle. The winner of the Final Battle will be selected and announced by the Judges Panel during Spring Jam™.
PRIZES
All finalists will receive a prize. Prizes will be announced following the Final Battle.
This year’s prizes will include:
- Recording time at RadioK’s Studio K
- Paid opening set at WAM-O-Rama 2023 (valued at $250)
- Additional prizes to be announced!
RULES AND VOTING
- Each group/performer must contain at least one currently-enrolled University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student performer.
- Solo artists as well as full bands are allowed.
- Groups selected to compete must perform live. No tracking or lip syncing will be allowed.
- Original songs are encouraged. All genres are welcomed.
TIMELINE
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Wednesday, October 19
APPLICATIONS DUE
Sunday, December 4 by 11:59 PM CST
APPLICATIONS REVIEWED
Week of December 5
NOTIFICATIONS SENT
No later than Friday, December 9, at 5:00pm CST
APPLICATIONS LINK
z.umn.edu/BOTB23
Planned by Student Events and Entertainment.
To request disability accommodations contact suaprograms@umn.edu or call 612-626-6919 at least ten business days in advance of event date. We will do our best to accommodate requests made after this date.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions
Continue to check for symptoms of COVID-19 before attending events. If you are experiencing symptoms or have recently been exposed do not enter, go home, and contact your doctor.
Learn more about the University of Minnesota's COVID-19 response.