POLKTON – Prize money has been dramatically increased for South Piedmont Community College’s Battle of the Bands, set for Saturday, April 21. The SPCC Student Government Association, sponsor of the event, is now seeking bands and individual performers who would like a shot at the cash.

The Battle of the Bands is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the L.L. Polk Campus on U.S. 74 in Polkton. The first-place band will receive $1,500 – three times last year’s prize – and will have the option of being the opening act at the Carolinas Emerging Music Festival on SPCC’s Old Charlotte Highway Campus in Monroe in the fall.

The second-place band will receive $750 and the third place band will receive $500. The top individual performer will receive $500, five times last year’s prize.

Last year’s first-place winner, Fire For Effect, is not eligible to compete.

Bands will be required to use their own instruments, including drums. All performances during Battle of the Bands must be live, and no recorded accompaniment will be allowed.

Prospective performers should submit a recording of the band via online link (provided by the band) or CD to Mike Maffucci by noon March 29. Maffucci can be reached at 704-290-5864 or mmaffucci@spcc.edu. Bands will be notified by 5 p.m. March 30 about whether they have been selected.

The above video is from the 2011 Battle of the Bands.

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