Golden Plains Shire Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for young bands across Golden Plains to compete at the 2026 Battle of the Bands competition.
Battle of the Bands is a competition featuring dynamic performances from emerging young artists aged 12 to 25 across Golden Plains Shire who represent a wide range of genres. The event will be held on Saturday 21 March from 4 to 7pm at Turtle Bend Reserve in Teesdale.
This Battle of the Bands event is an initiative of Fuse (formerly known as the Golden Plains Shire Amplify/FReeZACommittee). Fuse is a crew of passionate young people from across the Shire who bring bold, youth-led ideas to life. Supported by the Victorian Government’s Amplify program, Fuse gives young people aged 12 to 25 the chance to step up, get creative, and design events that are fun, inclusive and local.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey encouraged young bands to express their interest in performing at the event.
If you’re in a local band and wanting the opportunity to perform in front of a live and supportive audience,
Battle of the Bands is perfect for you. This is the biggest free live music competition in Golden Plains that brings
an inclusive and welcoming environment for our local performers, Cr Sharkey said.
This is more than just a gig – it’s a chance to grow your audience, sharpen your stage presence, network with
like-minded people and build credibility. I look forward to seeing what our local bands bring to the stage.
EOIs are open from Tuesday 20 January until 5pm, Tuesday 10 February 2026. To submit an EOI, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations. Hard copies are also available at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Food options will be available at the event. In the case of wet/poor weather, the Battle of the Bands event will be held indoors at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre.
For further information, contact Council’s Youth Development team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.