2026 BANDS of the Bay

THE FINALS are on 9/13!!!

AT THE NEW FARM SF

THE FINALISTS

Punked Out Pretty

Revolve

Redux

THE SCORING CRITERIA:

COHESIVENESS - how does the band sound together? are they sounding like a cohesive unit or separate players playing the same song?;

ORIGINALITY - are you playing carbon copies of “cover songs” or are you making it your own? Are you playing songs written by you or your band or not? those with compelling original songs will rate high in X Factor (keep reading);

OVERALL SOUND BALANCE - is everything sounding balanced or are we only hearing drum cymbals? etc. etc.,

TECHNICAL READINESS: set up and ready to play efficiently? Taking forever to soundcheck, or being distracted by other things? Does the band seem like they know how to handle any issues that may arise smoothly?

“X FACTOR” - the somewhat indescribable feeling a unique act gives you when they perform.

*Each category has a total of 10 possible points, maximum score is 50 PER JUDGE. Totals will be based on total number of judges x band score (max of 50). BANDS THAT GO OVERTIME WILL BE DOCKED 1 point per 10 seconds over time.

This competition is mostly about FUN. The goal is to get youth bands out there and ON STAGE playing LIVE!

UPDATED COMPETITION FORMAT: There will be 2 Preliminary rounds, from which 3 bands from each round will advance to the semifinals (6 slots for semi final). From the semi-final round, 3 bands will advance to the final round! Every band will get at least 1 (one) opportunity to play LIVE, and up to 4 chances to take the stage!

The top 2 winners will each get a featured set at the HAIGHT ASHBURY STREET FAIR on one of the MAIN STAGES! The 3rd place winner will get a live set at HASF on the Children’s Alley Stage (always amazing)! SCORING will be done by various judges in the Rock Project and local SF music Community!

The 2025 WINNERS: F.A.T. BETTY

Second Place: HeadSpace

Third Place: 9th Planet

It was an EPIC competition this year! All three of the finalists were great bands! Be sure to follow them and check ‘em out!