4 Student Bands to Jam for a Good Cause Oct. 11

Four UA student bands get the chance to perform for a good cause and earn the title of Tuscaloosa’s Best Band 2025.

The Battle of the Bands event raises funds for the Student Government Association’s Joe Espy Needs-Based Scholarship. The 2024 competition raised over $6,000.

The bands face off on Oct. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. at Druid City Social. The winning band will receive a cash prize and the new Joe Espy trophy. The final four competitors are Allison and the Reds, Convent Street, Fastlane Melvin and Warriors Bend.

“Battle of the Bands is a campus-community music event dedicated to funding the Joe Espy Needs-Based Student Government Association Scholarship, which aids students suffering from unforeseen or emergency financial burdens,” said Freddie Nelson, SGA’s vice president for external affairs.

SGA and the Interfraternity Council welcome the Alabama Panhellenic Association as a cohost of the event this year. This has contributed to unprecedented pre-event engagement.

Nelson added that SGA opened the sponsorship system to student organizations, who had the opportunity to include event sponsorship in their ticket package. 

“SGA is grateful to have more organizations contribute to this fundraising effort and for this year’s increased student and community outreach. With all this excitement, we seek to emphasize the importance of this event’s impact on the Joe Espy Needs-Based SGA Scholarship. SGA is looking forward to this event and the opportunity it brings to serve students at the Capstone.”

Voting will be conducted via single-submission QR codes displayed at the event.

Individual wristbands are $10 and can be picked up in the SGA office in the Student Center Oct. 7-10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Group Ticket Pricing

• 25 Tickets — $225 ($25 discount)
• 50 Tickets — $450 ($50 discount)
• 75 Tickets — $675 ($75 discount)
• 100 Tickets — $900 ($100 discount)

Attendees can also watch the Alabama/Missouri football game on a large LED screen and TVs as well.

Purchase tickets on the SGA’s Facebook and Instagram pages, at Druid City Social the day of the event or by emailing sgabattleofthebands@ua.edu.