Legendary Sturgis BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Get ready to rock! Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 7th 2025!
2025 Band Applications are NOW AVAILABLE!
Prepare yourself for the face-melting, mind-bending sounds of garage band stew at Harley-Davidson Rally Point during our third annual Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands!
We are teaming up with the most prestigious regional names in business to bring a one-day Battle of the Bands festival the evening of Saturday, June 7th 2025 in downtown Sturgis. This brand new multi-genre competition welcomes groups from large to small, old to young, and heavy to mellow for a competitive line-up like no other. All ages will compete for substantial cash and in-kind prizes – and don’t forget, the honor of being Battle of the Bands Champion in legendary Sturgis, SD!
THANK YOU, 2025 SPONSORS!
TOP "GRUNGE" SPONSORS:
★ Sturgis Buffalo Chip ★
★ Sturgis Hotel & Motel Business Improvement District ★
"GEARHEAD" SOUND & GEAR SPONSOR:
★ Brandon Jones Band ★
"PUNK" SPONSORS:
★ The Hotel Sturgis ★
★ 44 Lounge & Baymont Inn ★
"SKA" SPONSORS:
★ Black Hills Federal Credit Union ★
★ Pioneer Bank & Trust ★
"ROCK" SPONSORS:
★ First Interstate Bank ★
★ Pain & Movement Solutions ★
CALL FOR BANDS
2025 registration is now OPEN! Click the button below to submit your band application. There is a $100 registration fee per band, payable at the Sturgis Chamber office at 2040 Junction Avenue or by card over the phone at (605) 347-2556. Please make sure your fee is paid in full as soon as possible to ensure consideration by the jury panel.
PRIZES
Our team works tirelessly to create the BEST line-up of prizes for our top three competitors to launch you the next level! First, second, and third place bands will win from our major prize pool:
Cash Prizes:
★ 1st Place Cash Prize: $3,000 ★
★ 2nd Place Cash Prize: $2,000 ★
★ 3rd Place Cash Prize: $1,000 ★
Additional Prize Options:
(will be split amongst winners)
★ Recording Package with Cottonwood Studio in Rapid City ★
★ Band Photo Shoot with White Canvas Art Co. ★
★ Tentative: Room Night at the Hotel Sturgis ★
(black-out dates may apply)
★ Opening Gig at Sturgis Buffalo Chip for ZZ TOP during Sturgis Motorcycle Rally ★
(nonpaying; exposure-only)
★ TBA: Gig at Local Major Venue ★
(nonpaying; exposure-only)
★ Gig at Sturgis Music on Main Summer Concert Series ★
(paying gig)
JUDGES & SCHEDULING
2025 info coming soon!
Competitors are allowed a 15-minute set with 15-minute change-over time between groups at the legendary Harley-Davidson Rally Point Stage in downtown Sturgis. Our Stage Manager and production crew will be contact registered competitors prior to the competition to finalize equipment needs and scheduling.
A panel of expert judges from varying backgrounds will score competitors in a variety of categories. Categories may include criteria such as originality, musicality/theory, energy/quality of stage presence, professionalism, and others. A more detailed rubric of judging criteria will be provided prior to the competition date. 2025 Judges will be required to sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure to help ensure fair judging practices.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Your support for this new experience is critical to success as we move into our second year. Sponsors will have a wide range of benefits, from in-person participation to the gamut of advertising perks. We are looking for a few extra-generous sponsors to help us keep it “grunge” by sponsoring our cash prizes for winning competitors – these sponsors will have in-person recognition and a variety of other highlights leading up to and during the event.
Please contact us as soon as possible join our 2025 sponsor line-up. We can’t thank you enough for all you do – let’s bring some visitors to the Black Hills and let the music flow this June at the Sturgis Battle of the Bands!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Click the buttons below to follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Stay tuned on our social for upcoming judge interviews, performance tips & tricks, sponsor shout-outs, competitor spotlights, prize announcements, and more!
JUDGE INTERVIEWS | PERFORMANCE TIPS & TRICKS | PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENTS | BAND FEATURES
EVENT OVERVIEW
- Event Date: Saturday, June 7th 2025
- Event Time: 1PM – 6PM (tentative; may change depending on # entries)
- Industry Night & Pre-Party: Friday, June 6th - Details TBA!
- Awards & After Party: TBA!
- Event Location: Harley-Davidson Rally Point (corner of Main Street & Harley-Davidson Way), Downtown Sturgis, SD
- Contact Info: Sturgis Area Chamber / (605) 347-2556 / Events@SturgisAreaChamber.com
- Event Description: The Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands is a third-year event held in conjunction with the 5th Annual Sturgis Art Festival located in downtown Sturgis, SD. This family-friendly event is organized by a committee within the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization. This event aims to bring visitors to Sturgis, enhance the resident experience, and support the fine arts in our community. Our first year was a MASSIVE success! Please contact us to learn more and submit your application. THANK YOU for supporting the arts in Sturgis!