Battle of the bands

Popular examples include the yearly Live and Unsigned contest in the United Kingdom and the annual SoundWave Music Competition.

[2] In the United States one of the oldest rows of a battle of the bands talent show has been hosted by the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the first time in 1959.

Two later famous musicians that have performed at the Hollywood Bowl Battle were Karen and Richard Carpenter in 1966 (winner in combo and sweepstake).

[5] Also in the United Kingdom, the largest annual music contest in a battle of the bands format is Live and Unsigned, which has been operating since 2007.

[6][7][8] A battle of the bands event forms the climax of a number of films, including Up in Smoke (1978), Cotton Candy (1978), Freaky Friday (2003), School of Rock (2003), Metal Lords (2022), Bandslam (2009), Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).

In the horror thriller film House at the End of the Street (2011), starring Jennifer Lawrence, there are scenes resembling battle of the bands.

California rock band Primus makes a cameo appearance as rival contestants performing "Tommy the Cat".

The 2010 comic book adaptation film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World features several Battles of the Bands that culminate in actual physical fights.

[12] In the Australian thriller film Swerve (2011), a battle of the marching bands serves as background to most of the scenes set in the small country town.

In the animated film My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks (2014), a trio of banished sirens from Equestria arrive at Canterlot High School and quickly transform the school's upcoming musical showcase into a battle of the bands in order to feed on the negative energy created by pitting groups against each other.