Battle of the Bands 2025

2025 Battle of the Bands: Salute to Ellsworth

The 2025 Battle of the Bands: Salute to Ellsworth competition is open any genre of bands that are located within the Black Hills region. For this competition, bands are classified as having three or more members consisting of a mix of musicians and vocalists. Acapella groups are not considered bands for this competition. The audience will serve as your band's judges. They will cast their votes using the Crowd Signal app on their phones. Each registered phone is allowed to vote only once. The top three bands will be ranked first, second, and third based on the highest number of votes received.

Though many may enter, we will only be selecting the top 8 bands for the final competition to be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with the first performance beginning at 12:00 PM MST. The following rules will be enforced: 

• Any band member or crew member must be at least 18 years of age.  
• All members of the band, including any member of the crew assisting with load-in and load-out must be listed on the registration with the coordinator. Only one crew member will be permitted to assist the band.
• All band members agree to have their name, voice, photographs, logos and/or likeness used in any advertising, marketing, broadcasting or promotional materials relating to this contest and event without compensation or rights to royalties for such use.
• Only band members and crew member listed on the registration will be allowed in the load-in/load-out area or on stage. 
• Due to limited space, only active loading and unloading of vehicles is allowed in the load-in/load-out area. A maximum of two vehicles (e.g., two vans, two trucks, or one van and one trailer) per band is permitted in the load-in/load-out area, and they must be parked in-line to allow clear passage on one side of both vehicles. After loading following the performance, vehicles must be promptly moved to the general parking area.
• Band vehicles may enter the load-in/load-out area no more than 20 minutes prior to their scheduled setup time. Your band may begin setting up off-stage while the previous band is playing, however, please be mindful and respectful not to disrupt the other band performing.
• Time slots will be assigned and consist of a 10-minute load-in/set up time, a 50-minute performance time, and a 10-minute load-out/tear down time, for a total time of 70-minutes allowed. 
• Any band that has not checked in with the coordinator to register at least 45 minutes prior to load-in/set up time, or any band that exceeds the 10-minute load-in/set up or load-out/tear down time will be disqualified. 
• All band members and crew member must sign acknowledgement of competition requirements and waiver of liability upon check-in and registration with the coordinator.  
• On the day of performance, all members of the band, including crew members listed on the registration, must be dressed in clothing free of any obscenities. 
• Obscene lyrics are not permitted in any song performed. 
• The use of any illegal substance is strictly prohibited. 
• If a member of the band, including any crew members listed on the registration, is suspected of being under the influence of an illegal substance, the band will be disqualified, and local law enforcement will be notified. 
• All band members, including crew and guests, must remain courteous and respectful to other bands and their members at all times. 
• This is a family-friendly event, and our goal is for everyone to have an enjoyable and positive experience while attending. 
• Stage, lights, sound technician and backline will be provided by the city. 
• No instruments, cables, or other equipment will be provided and is the sole responsibility of the band to provide.
• Band is responsible for security of their own equipment.  

In order to be considered for this competition, all required documents and media must be submitted on or before the due date and time. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. All performances must be accompanied by live musicians, playing live music mixed with live vocals. No backing tracks of any sort are permitted. If backing tracks are used on the day of the competition, that band will be eliminated, regardless of voting status within the competition. 

To be considered for the 2025 Battle of the Bands competition, the following materials must be submitted by 5:00 PM MST on July 28, 2025:

Submissions must include a professional bio of the band to include band name, location, band contact information (working phone number and email address), music descriptions, and influences. Be sure to include any pertinent information, such as iconic venues played, opening acts for national/international headliners, achievements and accomplishments, similar competitions your band has competed in, and what your band hopes to achieve by competing. If you have any press clips, be sure to include those in your bio. Be sure to include professional photos of your band. 

In addition to a band biography, we require live recordings. These do not have to be professionally mixed and mastered, however, this will be one factor used to determine if you move on to the competition as a finalist for live performance in front of a public audience at our Salute to Ellsworth festival held in Box Elder, South Dakota on September 13, 2025. Online video is the preferred format; however, MP3 will also be considered. We will require a minimum of three (3) links or media uploads of your band performing live, in front of an audience. Links to your website will not be accepted as a substitute. Your band will initially be evaluated by the committee on musicality/harmony, rhythm, performance ability, stage presence, and engagement, and ranked accordingly. If chosen to compete, ranking and performance time will be assigned by the committee.  

Bands will be notified of their selection status by email no later than 5:00 PM MST on August 11, 2025. There is no need to contact us prior to this date. Further instructions will be provided if your band is selected to compete. 

First place winner will be awarded $1,500, second place winner will be awarded $1,000 and the third-place winner will be awarded $500. Winners will be notified by telephone call to the number provided. Additionally, the first-place winner will be invited to perform for military personnel at the 2026 Base Picnic at Ellsworth Air Force Base. 

A completed W9 with a valid Social Security Number or valid Federal Identification Number, along with a valid government issued photo identification card, will be required to collect the award. Awards will be issued at city hall during normal operating hours. 

Box Elder awaits - are you ready to Rock the Stage? Click HERE to submit the required information.