Something remarkable has happened as I look over the brand spanking new Battle of the Bands, a part of the audition phase of the Grand Rapids' Got Talent competition to be held at the historic Civic Theatre on August 18.
This kind of event has been a part of our culture before in places like the Intersection Lounge, where the emphasis has been on metal and high school-aged acts. This one-night event, not related to the Intersection event, debuting at The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday is actually is full of names the average person may not even recognize. And this is a good thing for sure.
This single fact that our region is continuing to churn out new bands is reason enough for people who remark that Grand Rapids could never be the next Seattle/Brooklyn/Portland to sit the funk down and listen. We have talent here, and this is our chance to celebrate those who are willing to go the extra mile to entertain us in a very public competition.
Sure, it is a copy on every other city's competition, and even a nod to the reality TV, but who cares when the list is this strong with plenty of fresh faces.
Look for more acts to potentially be added throughout the week as organizers seek to extend their original deadline of July 23 to Friday, July 27.
For people who are interested in the vocal audition finals, you will want to be at the Peter Martin Wege Theater on August 3 and 4. See the website for all the details.
Acts performing at press time include: Juke Joint Handmedowns, F.O.C.K.S, Stellar, The After Effect, The John De Gennaro Band, Templar, ReFURBUSHeD, Phantom Ivory, Bitter Apples and Bennett.
Admission: $5.
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