Battle of the bands is back in Knoxville, and $25,000 is on the line. Who has your vote?

Ryan Wilusz, Knoxville News Sentinel
·5 min read

Every Thursday on Market Square, three bands arm themselves with an arsenal of instruments and prepare to step into battle. Scruffy City Hall serves as the trenches, and it's not a war without cause.

Bar owner Scott West has brought back the Band Eat Band competition he created a decade ago, with a prize that's much bigger and an objective that's much wider, as performances also will raise money for a handful of local charities.

That includes Knox News' very own Empty Stocking Fund, which started more than 100 years ago and continues to rely on volunteers to provide a holiday meal basket each year for 3,000 local families in need.

"It will generate quite a bit of money for all the charities," West told Knox News on "The Scruffy Stuff" podcast. "We're definitely going to be able to feed some families from this thing. It's going to be a good deed, as well as a good time."

Giving to Knoxville charities made the difference in Round 1

The good times started Sept. 7, with three bands taking the stage for 50 minutes each: The Vertical Birds, Vagabon Brew and From The Pines.

Each entrant is vying for their share of $25,000-plus, with the grand prize of $5,000 going to the winning band in a final battle. The last round of this months-long competition will take place next spring at LunaVerse, an arts and entertainment district West is building at the former International property at 940 Blackstock Ave.

"I pay the bands as if they're playing a show tonight," West said. "I give them pizza, beer and pay them. ... When we get to the next round, they get paid twice as much. And the round after that, they'll get paid twice as much as that."

Lucky for Vagabon Brew and From The Pines, both bands moved ahead in the first round. That's because fans are able to cast votes, in addition to a handful of judges, which includes yours truly, downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz.

Paying the $5 cover gets you a vote, and so does ordering pizza. You also can earn a vote by donating in $5 increments to the Empty Stocking Fund, Knoxville History Project or Young-Williams Animal Center.

Donations to your favorite charity are exchanged for Ping-Pong balls, which you then drop into the jar of your favorite band. If these votes show the crowd disagrees with the judges (no offense taken), two bands can move along.

Each judge ranks the bands using the following criteria:

  • Riveting stage presence

  • Hypnotic audience rapport

  • Great songwriting that sticks

  • Technical excellence and creativity

"There's not going to be a loser," West said. "Most of the bands that play this are going to get more shows because I'm going to know who they are now."

Bands getting exposure in the Knoxville music scene

The exposure is a win-win for contestants and for West, who has viewed his collection of bars on Market Square as incubators for the live music scene over the years.

The Vertical Birds performs during the first round of the Band Eat Band competition at Scruffy City Hall on Sept. 7, 2023. While judges pick just one winner from the three bands in each round, the audience can vote by purchasing pizza and donating to local charities to send a second band through if their top choice is different than the judges.
The Vertical Birds performs during the first round of the Band Eat Band competition at Scruffy City Hall on Sept. 7, 2023. While judges pick just one winner from the three bands in each round, the audience can vote by purchasing pizza and donating to local charities to send a second band through if their top choice is different than the judges.

The Avett Brothers, Chris Stapleton and Cage the Elephant have all played Preservation Pub before finding the fame they enjoy today. Nearly every night of the week, local artists are given opportunities to follow that same trajectory.

West admits he has lost his pulse on the local scene over the years. His focus has been more geared toward sending out contracts than experiencing the music these days, but he's hoping this competition can change that.

One of the most exciting parts of Band Eat Band is discovering which band could be the next big thing in five years, West said.

"You can say that 99 times, and the 100th time is when you'll be right because there's some amazing talent that are never going to be famous," he said. "My point is, the best shows you'll ever see in your life are going to be on the small stages. I've seen The Avett Brothers at Bonnaroo, and I've seen them at Tennessee Theatre. I'm telling you, the best show was when they stomped a hole in the stage at Preservation Pub because the energy is incredible."

With roughly 60 bands signing up for the competition so far, those odds are not quite in their favor. But it only takes one band and one special night to make the difference.

Want to enter or watch Band Eat Band?

The music starts at 9 p.m. each Thursday at Scruffy City Hall, 32 Market Square. The cover is $5 after 7 p.m., unless you have a Downtown Denizens card, which gives those who work or live downtown free entry to West-family bars most Sundays through Thursdays.

Scruffy City Hall owner Scott West, left, and Knox News downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz deliberate as judges during the first round of the Band Eat Band contest Sept. 7, 2023. Judges are looking for "riveting stage presence, hypnotic audience rapport, great songwriting that sticks and technical excellence and creativity."
Scruffy City Hall owner Scott West, left, and Knox News downtown reporter Ryan Wilusz deliberate as judges during the first round of the Band Eat Band contest Sept. 7, 2023. Judges are looking for "riveting stage presence, hypnotic audience rapport, great songwriting that sticks and technical excellence and creativity."

The first battle ended around 12:30 a.m. when the winners were announced. But, like most nights at West-family bars, the party doesn't end until the lights come on at closing time.

In the name of fairness, straws are drawn at 8 p.m. to determine the order. American Thought Criminals, Burn the City and DUCK will face off Sept. 14.

"Bands can continue to enter for the foreseeable future, but we would prefer that the well-known procrastination of bandmates be set aside ... as we may be getting pressure to lock in all of the 'battle brackets' soon from fans," West said via text.

For more information and to enter, visit scruffycity.com/band-eat-band.

About the News Sentinel Charities Empty Stocking Fund

The Empty Stocking Fund started in 1912 to boost holiday spirits for our neighbors in need. The nonprofit has continued successfully because we're 100% volunteer-run and all donations go into the effort.

We accept donations throughout the year to buy food for each box ‒ including a 5-pound ham, fresh fruit and vegetables, baking supplies, canned goods, coffee, breakfast supplies and more ‒ to offer over the holidays. Please give at esfknox.org or mail a check to 2332 News Sentinel Drive, Knoxville TN 37921.

Last year, we distributed 3,000 boxes with enough food for a healthy holiday meal plus a week's worth of staples. It's all possible because of generous donors and hundreds of volunteers who converge on the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park for a week of preparation and handing out boxes.

Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff. 

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville music scene showcased at Band Eat Band on Market Square