Ribfest X Battle of the Bands 2027 is back and ready to showcase the next generation of musical talent! This exciting live music competition celebrates young bands ages 10–19 from across Ontario, giving them the opportunity to perform, gain experience, and take their music to the next level!
Selected bands will take the stage at one of our 2027 Ribfest X events, performing a 25-minute live set in front of enthusiastic festival crowds. Every participating band member will also receive a $25 goodie bag, courtesy of Media 21/Music 21!
The 1st place winner at each event will take home a Les Paul Electric Guitar, sponsored by Epiphone, and advance to the October 2027 Battle of the Bands Finals for a chance to win:
$2,500 cash prize
Official Battle of the Bands Champion title
A performance contract to play at Ribfest X 2028
This incredible opportunity is made possible through the generous support of our partners and sponsors, including Media 21/Music 21, Epiphone, and Yamaha.
Think your band has what it takes? Bring your sound, your energy, and your passion to the Ribfest X stage! Apply below for your chance to be part of Battle of the Bands 2027!
BOOK YOUR BAND FOR
We are excited to invite young musicians to apply for our Battle of the Bands competition, celebrating youth talent and a wide range of musical genres in a live, family-friendly festival environment. If any member of the band is under the age of 18, a Parent/Guardian Consent Waiver form must be filled out & signed and then emailed back to us. A waiver form will be sent to you if you’ve been selected to take part in our Battle of the Bands.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Open to youth ages 10–19
Bands only — no solo performers
Minimum of 2-3 performers per band
No heavy metal, grunge music.
Options: Rock, Country, Pop, Indie, Blues & Soul. Must play one Cover song.
Applicants must be available to perform live if selected
Only those selected will be contacted
Battle of the Bands
We provide a full backline. Musicians only need to bring their own instruments or pedal boards.
We use a professional Stageline stage paired with a dedicated sound company to ensure all performers look and sound their best.
SOUND & BACKLINE (provided by Media 21):
Judging is based on the following criteria: Stage Presence, Musicianship, Sound.
The final battle location is currently TBD. Stay tuned to our socials for all of our updates!
Ribfest X is a family-friendly event run by the Ontario Festival Group. We pride ourselves on maintaining a professional, clean, and comfortable environment for all guests and performers.
Bands should prepare for a 30-minute time slot, which includes their set and changeover. We recommend a setlist of approximately three songs to keep the schedule focused and running smoothly.
Some parts of the performances will be photographed/recorded and content will be used in our marketing material, such as social media. Make sure to Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, & Like us on Facebook for daily updates. Tag us, we’ll share!
UPCOMING RIBFESTS
