➡ What is the Battle of the Bands?

The Battle of the Bands is a way for residents of Westchester and surrounding counties, 24 and younger, to earn their way onto a stage to open the Pleasantville Music Festival.

➡ How does it work? What are the phases, places, and dates?

It's a multi-step process, depending on how far you get. You need to be available and on time for every phase in order to be considered. Here's the list of what you need to do and all the important dates:

1. Download the complete Rules and Regulations and read them carefully! 
2. Submit 2 original songs (mp3 or web link) by 11:59 pm on Friday, April 11, 2025. Send all submissions to pvillebattle@gmail.com.
3. We will let you know on or before Sunday, April 13 whether you've been selected to participate in the live final.
4. If you are selected for the live final, you must download this Registration Form, fill it in and and keep it with you. 
5. The live finals will take place at Locals 10538 in Larchmont, NY before a panel of judges.
6. Finalists will perform 3 SONGS: the 2 songs you submitted PLUS a third song which may be an original or a cover on Saturday, May 3.
7. If you are our Party Stage winner, you will get to perform 40 minutes of your original music at the Pleasantville Music Festival on Saturday, July 12, 2025. If you are our Main Stage winner, you will get to perform 30 minutes of your original music at the Festival. The Party Stage winner goes on at 1pm and the Main Stage winner goes on at 1:50pm.

➡ Did you say something about age and geography limits?

Yes we did. Here they are:

1. All solo and duo performers must be 24 years old or younger as of April 11, 2025. Bands of 3 members or more may have no more than 1 member who is older than 24. The rest must be 24 or younger. We will check IDs.
2. More than half of all band members must reside within the following counties: Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Fairfield, Bergen or the Bronx. For solos and duos, that means that all performers must live within these counties.

We do check IDs. Please make sure you adhere to the eligibility rules. We don't want to have to turn you away, but we will.

➡ Are you serious?

Yep.

➡ How much does it cost to enter?

Nothing. It's free to enter. But if you get chosen to play the Festival, we'll pay you. See the Rules and Regulations for details.

➡ What are you looking for?

We're looking for talent that's good enough to open a day-long Music Festival. Our internationally-known headliners don't take the stage until later in the day. So we want musicians who are so good that ticketholders want to arrive early. No pressure.

➡ Any particular kind of music?

No, not really.

➡ Okay, so any advice?

Good question. While we're not the judges, we have observed a few things about what works, what doesn't, and what can trip you up. The judges will evaluate you in 3 categories:

1. Your songs. Are they well-crafted and shaped? Are the lyrics (if there are lyrics) fresh and original? Do you have great musical ideas or a unique musical approach or point of view? Pro-tip: Take a good look at your songs and be your own judge: Do they say what every other song says, or do they stand out?
2. Your live performance. Are your musicianship and vocals as good as your songs? Do you have the chops to bring your musical ideas to life? Pro-tip: If you're a great vocalist but a so-so instrumentalist, maybe ask a friend to accompany you. Same if you're a great instrumentalist but a so-so vocalist. If you have equipment that makes your performance special, be sure that you've mastered it as well as your instrument and that your gimmick doesn't trip you up. We've seen it a few times, and it's not fun.
3. Your stage presence. Whether you're a full band playing the Party Stage or a soloist on the Chill Tent Stage, how well can you captivate a crowd? Pro-tip: The Festival is outdoors, either in the open air or underneath a huge tent. There's a lot to be said for eye contact, standing instead of sitting, and moving to your own music. And if you are going to talk between songs, rehearse that, too. Make sure your entire set, including your patter, is as tight as possible. Video record yourself, be your best objective critic, and keep improving.

➡ What happens if I don't win?

Let's face it: There's only one winner per stage. Sometimes you do your best and still come up short. If you don't win, there's always next year, provided you'll still in the age bracket to compete. So try, try again.

➡ Really? That's all you've got?

Okay, here's a longer answer. We love music, and we love musicians. Telling people that they didn't win is the hardest part of the job. If you didn't win and you can't understand why, talk to us. Pick our brains. Ask us what the judges thought or what we might have observed that could help you. We'll be those friends with the honest feedback.

Short, true story: At one of our first Battles, there were a number of great bands. One really good band that we liked a lot did great but didn't make the cut. They wrote to us and asked where they fell short, and we gave honest, constructive, objective feedback about something they couldn't have seen themselves.

The next year, that band won the entire competition.

Another time, we had someone who didn't even get invited to the live competition. They asked us for advice, we offered it, and they went on to win another year. It can happen, and it does.

➡ Any final words?

Now that you mention it, yes: It's great to be enthusiastic about your own performance. But please respect the judges' objective, professional opinions. Their decision is final.