BandStorm 2027 - Battle of the Bands Applications Now Open!

Are you part of a band aged 13-18?

Ready to take your music to the next level?

Bandstorm is an exciting Battle of the Bands competition for young musicians across Portsmouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole. It's your chance to perform live, gain valuable experience, receive feedback from professional musicians, and take to the stage in some of the region's leading music venues.

Whether you've just formed your first band or you're already gigging regularly, Bandstorm offers a unique opportunity to showcase your talent in a supportive and exciting environment.

Why Take Part?

🎶Learn from Industry Professionals

🎶Perform on Professional Stages

🎶Develop Your Skills

🎶Connect with Other Young Musicians

🎶Free to Enter!

How It Works

Step 1: Apply

Complete the application form and submit a video audition (max 3 minutes, 2 GB) featuring one performance track. The deadline for Portsmouth is Wednesday 16 December, 4pm 

Step 2: Live Heats

Selected bands will be invited to perform at a live heat in February 2027.

Step 3: Local Final

Successful bands from the heats will progress to their local final in March 2027.

Step 4: Grand Final

Winners from each local final will compete in the BandStorm Grand Final on 21 March 2027 at Engine Rooms Southampton, bringing together the best young bands from across the region.

Who Can Apply?

Bands must:

  • Include performers who are all aged 13-18

  • Be based in Portsmouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight, or Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole

  • Submit a completed application form

  • Provide a video audition to include one track showcasing your band

  • Bands of all musical styles are welcome.

Apply Now 

To apply for Portsmouth, please complete this form by 4pm on Wednesday 16 December

To apply for Southampton and Isle of Wight, please head to their website here (please note there might be a different application deadline for this area!)

To apply for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, please head to their website here (please note there might be a different application deadline for this area!)

FAQS

  • Description text goes herWe carefully select a panel of 3 professional, trusted, encouraging and supportive judges, who are all excellent musicians in their own right, with varying musical backgrounds. You will be given an audition slot – which includes setting up with and chatting to our friendly sound engineer, your audition, followed by some supportive but constructive feedback.e

  • Your instrument and any leads! There will be amps, mics, a drum kit and electric piano supplied in the audition room.

  • YES! We really encourage you to bring a small group of supporters. The space for Heats will be small, so we will just ask you to invite your nearest and dearest in the first round (we will let you know how many this is if you are invited to take part in the Heats). Naturally, if you get through to the final, we want everyone to drum up a much larger support group, there is plenty of space at the venue for the final and these tickets will be able to be purchased in advance.

  • Usually 5 or 6 bands are selected to compete in the BandStorm Final, to a full live audience that is open to the public! After an evening of exciting entertainment, it is then down to the judges to decide on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, and prizes are awarded! 

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Video audition: 

  • Your video should be of your band performing 1 track of around 3 minutes which showcases your collective talent and enthusiasm.

  • At this first stage it doesn’t need to be polished or professional – we just want to see/hear an example of a track you are rehearsing or have performed, so, a good video you’ve taken on your phone is fine!

  • TIP – try to adjust your dynamic/volume levels for the purposes of the video audition so that we can hear all the parts in the video submitted. Avoid videos where we can only hear one part, or no vocals at all for example, because everyone is playing too loud for the small space they’re in and the device they’re recording on… don’t worry – in the real thing you’ll be able to give us the full throttle energy and the dynamic best suited to your style because you’ll have a Sound Engineer getting you set up!

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Watch videos from previous years:

Key Dates

Deadline for application form: 4pm Monday 14th December 2026

The Heats: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th February 2027 at The Lens, Portsmouth Guildhall (you will be allocated a time slot for one of these dates)

Local Final: Tuesday 9th March 2027 at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

Regional Final: Sunday 21st March 2027 at The Engine Rooms, Southampton