Round 01Preliminary
Nov 62026
Friday
2026 BandWagon Magazine Battle of the Bands
The 2026 schedule
Five rounds. One finale.
Preliminary rounds hit Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Greeley. One winner from each night advances to the finale.
Round 02Preliminary
Nov 132026
Friday
The Black Buzzard
DenverRound 03Preliminary
Nov 142026
Saturday
Lulu's Downtown
Colorado SpringsRound 04Preliminary
Nov 212026
Saturday
Sound Bar
Fort CollinsRound 05Preliminary
Dec 42026
Friday
Moxi Theater
GreeleyRound 06The Finale
Jan 232027
Saturday
Moxi Theater
Greeley
The grand prize
Win five grand. Win the cover.
One act is crowned the 2026 champion and earns cash, a BandWagon Magazine cover story, and a year of momentum.
$5,000 cash
No strings. Record with it, tour on it, save it, or split it. The money belongs to the winner.
Cover story
The winner lands the BandWagon Magazine cover in print and digital, plus a full feature story.
Eternal glory
Join more than a decade of Colorado champions and carry the Battle of the Bands title into 2027.
How the battle works
Apply. Compete. Win.
Bring your strongest music and live video. There is no application fee and no presale requirement to be selected.
Apply
Submit your act, best links, history, draw, and first two preliminary-round choices.
Compete
Play a 25-minute preliminary set. Judges score the performance and every fan vote adds one point.
Advance
Win your round and play a 30-minute finale set at Moxi Theater on January 23, 2027.
The scoreJudges + fan votes
Approximately ten judges score each act up to 100 points. Every fan vote adds one point to the average. The highest total wins the round. Every ticket holder receives two votes.
Since 2011
Past champions
The Battle began in Northern Colorado and expanded across the Front Range in 2022. Meet the acts that took the title.
'25
Hand Turkey
Denver
Meet the champion ↗'24Flahoola
Denver
Meet the champion ↗'23Underseer
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗'22Ovira
Colorado Springs
Meet the champion ↗'21Graham Good & The Painters
Fort Collins
Meet the champion ↗'19Swerve
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗'18The Great Salmon Famine
Fort Collins
Meet the champion ↗'17Its Just Bugs
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗'16Slow Caves
Fort Collins
Meet the champion ↗'15Hypnotic Vibes
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗'14The Burroughs
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗'13Leghounds
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗'12Bones Muhroni
Greeley
Meet the champion ↗
Submit your band.
Apply in about two minutes. Choose your preferred preliminary nights, send your strongest live link, and tell us what your act brings to the stage.
Start your applicationApplying does not guarantee selection. Participants will be contacted around the October 1 application deadline.
Tap here if you are already on your phoneBack the battle
Sponsor. Judge. Show up.
The Battle runs on venues, brands, fans, and industry professionals who believe in Colorado music.
Put your brand on the bill
Reach live music fans through six shows, four cities, print, digital, social coverage, and on-stage visibility.
Ask about sponsorshipJudge a round
Promoters, bookers, radio hosts, press, producers, engineers, and working musicians can help crown a champion.
Apply to judge2026 venue partners
Common questions
Battle FAQ
Who can enter?
Any band based in Colorado or Southern Wyoming. Original material only. Solo artists are welcome to apply but this competition is designed for ensembles. Cover bands and tributes are not eligible.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Applying is free. Bands are selected based on the strength of their sound and application. No advance ticket sales are required to compete.
How is the winner picked?
Each round has approximately ten judges scoring up to 100 points per band. Every fan vote adds one point to the average. The highest total score wins the round. Judges are working musicians, promoters, radio hosts, and industry professionals.
Can I pick my preliminary round?
You can list a first and second choice on the application. We do our best to honor preferences based on lineup balance and venue capacity.
What if I cannot make the finale date?
Availability on January 23, 2027 at the Moxi Theater is required to advance. If you cannot make it, please sit this year out.
Do you provide backline?
Drums and a bass amp are provided. Bring your own guitar amps, guitars, cymbals, snare, and pedals. Full production details go to advancing bands before showtime.
How long is our set?
Preliminary sets are 25 minutes. Finale sets are 30 minutes. Load-in and stage times are advanced by the production team.
What does the winner get?
$5,000 cash, the cover of BandWagon Magazine in print and digital, a full feature story, and the right to say you won the Battle of the Bands.
