Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is once again calling on local bands to take the stage at Hard Rock Cafe for the chance to play at the 2024 97x Next Big Thing Music Festival. 

As part of this year’s Hard Rock Rising Tampa – Battle of the Bands, music acts will compete for a shot at the next level fame. 

Rising to the Next Level

Beginning on Monday, September 9 at 10 a.m., Seminole Hard Rock Tampa will open online registration at TampaHardRock.com/Rising. All entrants will need to be at least 16 years of age and submit a completed ReverbNation webpage with two original song uploads. The submission period ends on Sunday, October 6 at 11:59 p.m.

From Monday, October 7 to Sunday, October 13, committee voting will take place to determine the top three finalists from all eligible entrants to participate in the live competition. In addition, four to six wildcards will be chosen. During the period Monday, October 14 (10 a.m.) to Sunday, October 20 (4 p.m.) fans will have the opportunity to select one wildcard finalist via social media.

On Tuesday, October 22, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa will announce online the three finalist bands and the wildcard finalist band.

The Hard Rock Rising Battle of the Bands Event in Hard Rock Cafe is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.).

Winner Takes All

The live competition will produce one Grand Prize winner who will win a performance slot at the 2024 97x Next Big Thing Music Festival on December 7.

The live competition judges will include a variety of music industry professionals. There will be five categories included in the judging criteria – Originality (30 percent), Musicianship (30 percent), Vocal Ability (20 percent) and Marketability (20 percent).

For full rules and more information on Hard Rock Rising Tampa – Battle of the Bands, please visit TampaHardRock.com/Rising.