by Marianne Meyer
For four nights earlier this week - Monday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 12 - local musicians and the fans who support them crowded Vienna VA’s greatest little club, Jammin’ Java (*), for the Mid-Atlantic Band Battle #6. Seven bands competed each night to be the one act that advances to the finals in February. The winner of that final night will receive $2500 cash, their own headlining show at Jammin Java plus studio time at Cue Recording Studios with producer Jim Ebert and other musician-friendly benefits.
(*) don’t take my word for it (although I do love the place) – Jammin’ Java recently scored an impressive #59 in concert trade publication Pollstar’s list of the Top 100 Club Venues in the world, as rated by ticket sales, beating out legendary spots like L.A.’s Roxy Theater and New York’s Roseland Ballroom.
Unlike traditional Battles of the Bands, the Mid-Atlantic Band Battle (MABB, in shorthand) doesn’t use an audience vote to determine the winner and victory isn’t just a matter of whichever band happens to have the most friends. A judges panel, usually three each night, scores each band on criteria like musicianship and songwriting, making it more than a mere popularity contest.
You can see a full list of bands who make this year’s cut, judging criteria and judges’ bios here.
I was delighted to be asked to judge two nights of this year’s competition. It’s always a good time. Despite the fact that only one band can win, there’s a lot of camaraderie to the night, a supportive atmosphere that reinforces the fact that the DC area and Mid-Atlantic region has a very good local music scene. As the battle has become better known, great bands of many different genres from along the East Coast apply to compete. Each music-packed night offers variety and surprises. I’ve judged numerous times over the past few years and I’ve come away from every night with at least one new favorite band.
The finals will be held on February 17, and you can buy tickets online. Do it now; these shows almost always sell out and I can personally vouch for the fact that the two bands that won the nights I was there will make it a show worth seeing.
Photo Note: Sitting at the judges’ table, taking notes and filling out the scoring sheets, I don’t have the mobility to move up close to the stage for prime shooting, so the photos in the slideshow here are, admittedly, only as good as my limited telephoto can handle. Hopefully, they still convey the spirit of the event.
Tune in again soon, for notes and shots from Thursday night’s MABB!
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