Kulshan Brewing has cooked up a 7-week battle of the bands; who’s your favorite?
A new seven-week concert series is coming to one of Bellingham’s most popular beer gardens and venues, offering bands the chance to win prizes and a local title.
“Kulshan Brewing is kicking off the summer with some serious heat. Off the Rails: Battle of the Bands takes over the Trackside Beer Garden Stage every Thursday starting July 2. Seven rounds of local talent going head-to-head for a prize pack worth over $3,000,” a news release from Kulshan Brewing Company states.
“The format is simple: two bands, one stage, live crowd voting. The audience decides who advances,” the news release states.
Each band has 50 minutes to show the crowd their best songs, then and fans will get to vote soon after the second band starts their act, according to Chorney. Voting can be accessed via multiple QR codes set up around the venue that can be scanned with a smartphone. The winner will be announced later that night.
All concerts are free to attend and are open to all ages. They will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays July 2 through Aug. 13.
“Mainly we wanted to support all the great local talent and musicians that we have in our community, to provide a platform for bands that may otherwise not have the opportunity to play at a venue like Trackside, or are just looking to have some fun in the competition,” Kulshan Brewing Marketing Manager Hazel Chorney told The Herald in an interview.
Round 1 begins Thursday, July 2, with Hippies with Money battling it out against Torch. Then on July 9, Old World Astronaut vs. Slick Sickly. The Enthusiasts vs. Biff Got Killed will battle July 16, and round 1 will end July 23 with Idell Drive vs. Harbor Seal.
Bryce Atilano, who plays bass for Hippies with Money, told The Herald band members don’t plan to approach the battle any different than they would any other show in Bellingham.
“We always just want to play as best as we possibly can and bring as much energy as we can,” Atilano said. “At least from my perspective, I’m just there to share what we already have going. I wish the best to ‘Torch’ as well, but we are just trying to put on a good show and have a good time, then the crowd can decide which one they want to support for the next round.”
The members of Torch have a similar vibe going into the competition, which is to just treat it like any other gig and have an after-party when they are done, win or lose.
“We are pretty excited. We have been playing a lot so we feel really ready as far as preparation,” Torch vocalist Jade Roberts told The Herald. “We would also really love to win the money.”
Once winners are chosen, round 2 will begin July 30, followed by another free concert Aug. 6 and the grand finale Aug. 13.
All the bands are being paid for their performances, but the winning band will be rewarded with $1,500 cash, $200 in gear from Guitar Center, a $500 gas card, a three-song demo recording session by Woodhaven Mastering Studios and a band media kit from Kris Gray Photography.
Kulshan Brewing’s Trackside Beer Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 298 W Laurel St. in Bellingham.
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