Plaza Live to host Battle of the Bands spotlighting Orlando musicians across genre

The Plaza Live will be the host of the Shure 100th Anniversary Battle of the Bands this summer, looking to give the spotlight to a handful of tuneful locals.

The Milk District venue and the microphone manufacturer are looking for Orlando’s rock stars of tomorrow this summer, and will let them battle it out in an all-day concert in August.

A small handful of bands will be chosen to compete in each of three different categories: rock/indie, jazz/blues and pop/electronic. Musicians will be judged on categories like stage presence, originality, audience engagement, vocal performance and professionalism.

Besides bragging rights, winners take home a $1,000 prize and a Shure premium microphone package.

Applications are now open for interested bands and musicians.

For those not about to rock but to spectate (we salute you), the Plaza Live’s Battle of the Bands happens on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m., running until 10 p.m. Tickets went on sale this week for $15 advance and $20 at the door.

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This article appears in Jul 2-8, 2025.