Battle of Bands

Hatty Keane performs at Open Mic UK 2010, a Battle of the Bands structured music competition

"BOTB" redirects here. It may also stand for British Overseas Trade Board.

Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. Traditionally, battles of bands are held at live music events and forums. A popular example includes the yearly Live and Unsigned contest in the United Kingdom. The term is legally trademarked Supernova Entertainment in Canada, but is often used informally, such as when the media coined "Battle of Britpop" to describe the sales battle between Oasis and Blur.

Format

Bernie Cochrane enters that The Battle of the Bands first came to major public attention in the United Kingdom when it was launched in 1980, being staged as a nationally held competition with heats held throughout England, Wales, Scotland, Northern and Southern Ireland and where in many cases, the competition was supported and held in conjunction with local radio, television and press. Throughout 1980 to 1983 as the records will show, this UK originating competition received very substantial media coverage and it is felt that as result since then derivatives and use of the title quite often appear. Entrants were asked to submit via sending 3 original songs in on cassette [yes casstte in those days] and from this 6 x local area entrants were chosen to compete. As a competition The BOTB looked for 'entrants' to comprise of 2 or more in numbers. Between 1980-1983 the event was held in various types of venue, with in the first year that of major concert venues, the second year 'clubs' and the final year Universities. In late 1983 TDK became competition sponsors. In 1983 Bernie Cochrane before departing the competition, brought the event to BBC Television where it was broadcast on BBC 1, directed by Tim Marshall and shown early Saturday evening. Bernie Cochrane, a veteran of the entertainment industry, entry ends, however I can be contacted on the following link http://www.TheBattleOfTheBands.org

Battle of Bands is a contest in which many bands, usually rock or metal bands, but often musical acts from a range of different styles, compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Prizes usually include cash, free recording time in a local recording studio, support or main slot at a local or large gig, a piece of new equipment, or a gift certificate.

Traditionally, battles of bands are often held at live music events and forums.

Historical incidents

The simultaneous release of albums and singles in 1995 sparked a media-fuelled "Battle of Britpop" between northern England's working-class Oasis and southern England's middle-class Blur.^[1] Also in the United Kingdom, the largest annual music contest in a battle of the bands format is Live and Unsigned, which has been operating since 2007. The contest regularly draws 10,000 participants, with the grand prize of a £50,000 recording deal.^[2][3][4]

Battle Of The Bands Trademark

In Canada, the trademark to the term "Battle of the Bands" is owned by the Toronto, Ontario-based indie concert promotions company Supernova Entertainment. The term was trademarked in 1998.^[5] Companies such as Yamaha, Rogers, and Paramount Pictures partnered with Supernova Entertainment to create branded Battle of the Bands to gain access to the trademark.

In popular culture

A Battle of the Bands event forms the climax of a number of films, including Bandslam, Blues Brothers 2000, School of Rock, Freaky Friday, and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. The film Drumline puts its own spin on the convention, featuring a battle between marching bands.

In 1968, California band The Turtles released a concept album, The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands, with the band playing in different styles from psychedelic to surf music to bluegrass.

In the Take That musical, Never Forget, the show centres around a tribute band working to win the "Battle of the Tribute Bands".

Third World Games have produced a Battle of the Bands card game, which takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the music business. The object is to recruit members into your band, equip them with instruments, win "gigs" and "hit singles" and earn enough "Superstar Points" to win.^[6] The game is also available for play on GameTable Online.^[7] There is also a Battle of the Bands (video game) and Battle of the Bands (TV movie).

The "battle of the bands" concept has had a heavy influence on reality television. Shows such as the Idol series and The X Factor borrow the basic concept of a "battle of the bands" except with individual singers instead of whole bands, combining the concept with a serial elimination format. There was a brief American series in the vein, The Next Great American Band, that did use whole bands.

References