Liverpool Battle of the Bands 2027 Opens Applications for North West Bands
Liverpool Soundz has announced the return of its city-wide Battle of the Bands competition for 2027, giving emerging bands from across Merseyside and the North West the chance to perform at some of Liverpool’s best-known music venues and compete for a £1,000 top prize.
Following its inaugural competition earlier this year, Liverpool promoter The Good Times will bring Battle of the Bands back in January 2027, with applications now open to bands across all musical genres.
A total of 32 bands will be selected to take part, competing across four rounds of live shows before the competition culminates in a grand final at Camp & Furnace in May.
Early rounds will take place across Tunnel, District and Rough Trade Liverpool, giving emerging acts the opportunity to get in front of new audiences and local music industry professionals.
32 bands, four rounds and a £1,000 prize
The competition combines public voting with input from a panel of local industry professionals.
Audiences will be able to vote for their favourite bands following each round of performances, while the judging panel will assess the acts against a range of criteria. The format is designed to ensure that progression isn’t based solely on who can bring the biggest crowd, with musical merit considered alongside audience appeal.
The eventual winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, alongside press support including a bespoke press release from music PR company Sonic PR.
All bands reaching the final will also receive a cash prize.
But Liverpool Soundz hopes the competition can offer artists opportunities beyond the prize pot.
The Good Times will consider participating bands for future support slots and other live opportunities, including its Fresh Finds showcases at Rough Trade Liverpool and the So Long Good Friday and Loud & Clear all-day events.
Founder Craig McVeigh said: “We want to highlight the musical diversity of the city of Liverpool and are looking forward to helping to discover the next big thing to come out of the area.”
Supporting Liverpool’s emerging music scene
Liverpool Soundz describes the project as a way of platforming new voices within the Merseyside music scene and creating a route for emerging artists to access further support and opportunities.
The impact of the first Battle of the Bands is already being seen.
Short Notice, who won the 2026 competition, have since secured a slot at Breakthrough Festival’s Halloween all-dayer and will headline one of Liverpool Soundz’s Fresh Finds shows at Rough Trade Liverpool.
The Good Times has also previously worked with breakthrough acts including Kneecap, Radio Free Alice and The Amazons.
For bands at the beginning of their journey, the 2027 competition offers something potentially more valuable than simply winning: the opportunity to play established Liverpool venues, reach new audiences and make connections within the city’s live music scene.
Liverpool Battle of the Bands 2027 dates
The competition gets underway in January and runs through to May:
- Round 1: 29–30 January and 5–6 February 2027
- Round 2: 26–27 February and 7 & 12 March 2027
- Round 3: 23–24 April 2027
- Final: 28 May 2027 at Camp & Furnace
Applications are open now to bands based in Merseyside and across the wider North West, with artists from all genres encouraged to put themselves forward.
Applications close on 30 October 2026. Apply here.
