Dear Melbourne Bands: The Espy’s Battle Of The Bands Is Back (Win $4K & A St Kilda Festival Slot)

Attn: local Melbourne bands… this one might be worth throwing your hat into the ring for.

For the first time in years, St Kilda institution The Esplanade Hotel (lovingly known as The Espy) is reviving its legendary Battle Of The Bands comp, giving one emerging act the chance to score cash, festival slots, professional promo support and some serious bragging rights.

Applications are now open here

Entries are officially open now, with applications closing Saturday, July 19, ahead of the comp kicking off in August inside the venue’s iconic Gershwin Room.

Twenty-five bands will battle it out across five heats before one winner walks away with a prize package designed to give an up-and-coming act a genuine career boost.

The first-place winner will pocket $4,000 in cash, score a paid performance on The Espy Live Stage at St Kilda Festival 2027, receive a professional photoshoot, custom-printed posters, flyers and merch, plus a feature interview in Beat Magazine.

The runner-up won’t go home empty-handed either, pocketing $1,000 in cash along with a promo print package.

Meanwhile, every grand finalist will receive a professionally filmed and recorded live performance courtesy of James Dominko Photography and Mudbrick Studios/Mix On The Move.

Whether you’ve just started gigging or you’re looking for the next big opp to get your music in front of new audiences, it’s one of the stronger prize pools we’ve seen attached to a local live band comp in quite some time.

AI artists need not apply!

Further Reading

Iconic Melbourne Venue The Espy Announces 2018 Reopening & Live Music Plans

Melbourne’s Beloved Stay Gold Is Closing This June

Meet Trophy Wyfe: The Newcastle Teens Crowned triple j Unearthed High Winners For 2026

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