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Think your band has what it takes to rock the Manning stage? We’re on the hunt for USYD’s top student talent - so grab your jamming crew or musical duo and get ready to battle it out for glory 🏆

With over $10,000 worth of prizes to be won – first, second, and third place winners will receive a mix of cash, prizes and exciting opportunities to have their music heard.

Battle of the Bands is part of Creative Month.

Competition Timeline
Heat 1: Tuesday 8 September (semester 2, week 6)
Heat 2: Wednesday 9 September (semester 2, week 6)
Finals: Wednesday 23 September (semester 2, week 8)

Entries for Battle of the Bands 2026 are now open. Applications close Sunday 9 August at 11:59pm.

Apply now

2025 winners
1st Place: Sweet Boy Sonnet
2nd Place: giraffeHead
3rd Place: No Safe Haven

Eligibility
To be eligible to enter, bands must be made up of at least 50% USYD students and USU Members. For example, in a 5-piece band, at least 3 members must be USYD students or USU Members.

All band members must be 18 years or older as Manning Bar is an over-18s venue.

For a full breakdown of additional eligibility requirements please read through the Terms & Conditions. It also includes information regarding the marking criteria, performance expectations, judging criteria, liability and safety.

Not in a band but still keen to get your music heard?
USU encourages you to apply for the Music category of the 2026 USU Creative Awards, USYD's largest creative arts prize which is open to all original musical works by USU Members.

USU acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose stolen land which we operate, gather as employees and live. We recognise this land was never terra nullius — the land belonging to these peoples was never ceded, given up, bought or sold. We pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging, and we extend this acknowledgement to any other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Transition to USU Ltd
From 1 April 2026, USyd Student Union Ltd (ABN 52 688 637 818) became the organisation running the services, programs and activities previously operated by the University of Sydney Union (ABN 73 818 179 759). As part of the transition, existing USU membership benefits will continue to be recognised until 30 June 2026 in line with the transition arrangements. USU Rewards benefits will continue only for members who join USU Ltd. Membership of USU Ltd is separate and only takes effect in accordance with the USU Ltd constitution.

© 2026 USU