The annual Youth Battle of the Bands competition will be returning to Port Alberni this June and registration is now open for interested bands and musicians.
The competition is open to Vancouver Island musicians aged 25 and younger, either performing solo or as a band. Any genres are welcome. Musicians will take the stage at the Rainbow Room to compete for the top prize of $2,000 cash and a spot on the main stage at the upcoming Five Acre Shaker music festival.
The first Youth Battle of the Bands was held in Port Alberni in 2015. It was started by the Zattzoo Project (named after the late Port Alberni musician Zakkaree Coss) with the goal of giving young musicians a place to play for their families and friends.
This year, the Zattzoo Project will mark its 10th battle with an “X” special edition Battle of the Bands event on June 8, 2024, hosted by Logan Stoll at the Rainbow Room in Port Alberni. There will be plenty of prizes available, including prizes for best-of categories and the Fan Favourite voted on by the audience. Judges this year are talent agent Keith MacKenzie, local metalhead Kyle Hamelin and Victoria-based musician and talent promoter Jason Parsons.
For young musicians, it’s a chance to be discovered. Along with agents and promoters, there will be plenty of photographers and videographers on site.
Tickets for the show will be on sale starting Wednesday, May 1. A link can be found on the Zattzoo Project Facebook page.
Interested musicians can sign up now by emailing zattzooproject@outlook.com.