Rock Lily x Sailor Jerry's Battle of the Bands

Known for raising the roof and busting out the best tracks across all genres every week, Rock Lily is inviting eight local amateur music groups to battle it out - lyrically and instrumentally - in front of a live audience to win exclusive studio time, inclusive of mixing and mastering, for an original single at one of Australia’s most iconic recording studios, Studio 301 - where the likes of Amy Shark, Guy Sebastian, Tash Sultana, ILLY, Jimmy Barnes, The Chainsmokers have recorded - worth a career catapulting $4.5k.

Launched in partnership with Sailor Jerry, the Battle of the Bands will be hosted in a heat-style event series, with the bands asked to perform a 30-minute set on either Friday 3 March or Friday 17 March before the winners from each night go head-to-head in a final musical showdown on Friday 31 March.

Judging the competition to find the next hotly tipped talent are three experts from across the music sphere: Poppy Reid, Editor-in-Chief at the prestigious music publication, Rolling Stone Australia; Alexander "Captain" Franco, Senior Director of A&R at Sony Music and Artist Manager who has previously worked with artists like G Flip, Peking Duk, Alison Wonderland, B Wise, Cosmo's Midnight and more, plus, Sydney alt-rap group, Triple One, best known for their certified Gold single "Butter".

Speaking of what the judges will be looking for in the winning performance, Franco explains, “With so many untapped musicians in Sydney, I’m excited to join the judging panel to find emerging talent and help kickstart their career with such an epic prize. We’ll be judging based on originality, musicianship, stage presence, and crowd interaction - all things necessary for a successful career in the music industry.”

Marty Bugatti from Triple One also adds, “Competitions like this are a great opportunity for up-and-coming artists, especially with such an awesome prize that would normally only come once you’ve “made it”. We’re excited to see what new musical talent is out there in Sydney and help spearhead their careers.”

To be selected and battle it out in either of the first two heats, bands are required to submit their expressions of interest via The Star’s website with their contact details, social handles and heat preference. Rock Lily’s Battle of the Bands submissions close on 9 March 2023 at 11:59 AEDT. The eight selected finalists will all receive a Sailor Jerry merch pack worth $200. Entries are open to Australians 18+, terms and conditions apply see here.

For those looking to come along and support the shortlisted bands in the heats and beyond, Rock Lily and 24/7 Sports Bar will also be serving up $8 Sailor Jerry and mixers as well as Sailor Jerry Espresso Martini and Mojito cocktails ($15) throughout the entire month of March. In addition, every $15 cocktail purchased on a Friday and Saturday night between 9pm and 11pm will score a limited-edition Sailor Jerry x Rock Lily tee.