SAFFORD — Sixteen bands will vie for the title of best in the Gila Valley, when Battle of the Bands returns this Saturday.
Presented by Valley Vision, Double R Sound and the Double R Communications family of radio stations — Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM — this year the top band will get $3,000, while second will receive a $500 gift certificate to Richard’s Music, while third place will receive a $250 Richard’s Music gift certificate.
There will also plaques presented for best vocalists, guitarist, bassist, drummer and specialty instrument.
Scheduled bands are:
- Noon — Last Chantz, Blues/Alt
- 12:30 p.m. — Pink Fluffy Butterflies, Rock
- 1 p.m. — JK, Acoustic
- 1:30 p.m. — Tumbleweeds, Country
- 2 p.m. — Rad Stacey, Rock/Alt
- 2:30 p.m. — Farquaad, Rock
- 3 p.m. — Wash Out, Classic Rock
- 3:30 p.m. — Tonight’s Sunshine, Alt Rock
- 4 p.m. — Unofficial, Pop/Punk
- 4:30 p.m. — Borrowed Time, Metal
- 5 p.m. — Heart and Soul, Classic Rock/Blues
- 5:30 p.m. — Celestial Exile, Metal
- 6 p.m. — Ashes From a Child, Melodic Metal
- 6:30 p.m. — To Kill A Sunrise, Metal
- 7 p.m. — Drop D, Rock
- 7:30 p.m. — The Wind Below, Alt Rock
As is tradition, the Nickel Picnic will also take place alongside Battle of Bands, with hot dogs sold for just 5 cents. All proceeds from the Bud Light Beer Garden and Nickel Picnic benefit SEACUS, which operates the Meals on Wheels program for homebound seniors, as well as the Senior Centers in Safford, Clifton and Duncan.
However, a change from tradition is the location this year, as Battle of the Bands moves out of the sunshine and heat, and inside the air-conditioned Ag Building at Graham County Fairgrounds.
Admission to the full day of music is just $5.
Battle of the Bands is sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan; Advanced Air Systems; Sparklight; Richard’s Music; Macks Napa Auto Supply; Vista Recycling; Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism and Film Authority; Kempton Chevrolet; Sparks Homestore; Gila Electric; Audio Visions; Bud Light; Joe’s Ride-N-Dine; Pepsi; Trophies N’ Tees; Thriftee Food and Drug; Valley Vision digital billboards; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
