2025 Battle of the Bands & Two Buoys Unplugged: The Ultimate Music Competitions of the Year each offering incredible prizes, exposure, and opportunities for emerging artists and bands.
- The Daily Mirror Rppfm 98.7
- Jun 12
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 28
CHAT SESSION 112 with Elizabeth, Dan, Scott, Brent and Jimmy
Topic- Talking All Things BATTLE OF THE BANDS, a Prize Pool of Up to $25,000 and Two Buoys Unplugged with a Prize Pool of Up to $16,000.
Monday 16th June 2025 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Podcast 🎧 https://megaphone.link/LCRUI3085322189
Exciting announcement! The 2025 Battle of the Bands Competition is gearing up to outshine last year's success and is now open for applications until June 30th. If you're part of an emerging or original band, don’t wait—submit your application soon, as spots are limited! With a fantastic prize pool of $25,000, this is a competition you won’t want to miss. Get ready to showcase your talents and seize this incredible opportunity!
The Ultimate 12-Week Showdown!
· 21 bands competing across 7 heats
· Winner of each heat advances to the semi-finals, plus one Lucky WILD card to shake things up!
· The heats are judged based on 50% crowd participation and 2 secret judges.
· Judging categories include Originality, Technique, Stage Performance, and Crowd Engagement.
· Each set runs 30 to 45 minutes — plenty of time to rock out!
· Bands can perform up to 2 covers — additional songs must original tunes.
· Get ready for an epic journey of music, talent, and surprises!
Amazing prizes and rewards for Participating Bands!
All bands that advance to the heats will receive prizes valued at $600, ensuring every participant leaves with something special.
Each band that competes will receive:
· 10 professional images by Brooke's Photography or Rosie Caulfield Photography
· Slab of craft beer from St Andrews Brewery
· Gift card for Freaky Tikki in Rye — your go-to for morning coffee
· 4-pack or RTD from Casa Liquor & More
· $200 Soundbar tab for the night to keep the good times rolling
· And some surprises to make your experience even better!
In addition, all bands will share equally in the door takings for the evening.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS Major Prizes
1st PRIZE – Value Over $3,500
Recording, mastering, and pressing a single at Capel Sound Studio
Interview on local radio station RPPFM
$250 SAB gift voucher
$300 industry music voucher
$140 bottle of Tromba Tequila
$100 Skateboard from Shed Nine
$800 soundbar gig with engineering support
$80 SAB slab
$60 Mr. Little’s bottle of gin
$200 professional photos from the event
$200 rider for the night
25% of ticket sales
2nd PRIZE – Value Over $2,500
Full day photoshoot and editing with Brooke’s Photography (worth $800)
Full day studio time at Capel Sound Studio
$300 styling clothes hire for the photoshoot at Rosebud Vintage Bazaar
$140 bottle of Tromba Tequila
$60 Mr. Little’s bottle of gin
$80 SAB slab
Professional photos from the event
$200 rider for the night
25% of ticket sales
3rd PRIZE – Value $1,250
Half-day studio time at Capel Sound Studio
$300 voucher for Nepean Music
$140 bottle of Tromba Tequila
$80 SAB slab
$60 Mr. Little’s bottle of gin
Professional photos from the event
$200 rider for the night
25% of ticket sales
4th PRIZE – Value Over $750
$140 bottle of Tromba Tequila
$80 SAB slab
$200 professional photos from the event
$200 rider for the night
25% of ticket sales
Semi-Final Prizes – Value $500
$200 for semi-final photos (10 edited professional photos)
$200 soundbar rider
50% of the night’s door takings
Battle of the Band Sponsors 2025
A big thank you to our fantastic sponsors for supporting and making ‘Battle of The Bands’ annual event possible!
Images by Rosie Caulfield Photography
The Soundbar has firmly established itself as the go-to spot for live music on the Peninsula. Just recently, the Eat The Rich Festival—curated by Beth & Bass Demon Jack Elvey from DJ Centipede & the Earthworms—sold out over Kings Birthday weekend!
With 10 bands rocking over 2 nights, mostly from The Ninch and surrounding areas, it's clear that Punk, Metal, and Rock n’ Roll are still the voices of youth with something to say. The energy and passion in these genres keep the scene vibrant and alive. Stay tuned for more epic nights ahead!
It's super important that we continue to support and nurture this vibrant scene as it continues to grow. The Battle of the Bands isn’t just a competition—it’s a platform for emerging bands to thrive. Sure, there are prizes to be won, but more than that, it’s about creating opportunities for bands to connect with each other and industry professionals who can help guide their journey.
Having Dan Swan from Capel Sound Studios on board as an integral part of the Battle of the Bands and the venue itself has made a tremendous impact. His involvement has significantly contributed to the venue’s success and has played a vital role in supporting the growth of upcoming artists.
We absolutely love seeing past contestants supporting one another at gigs, both locally and in town. It’s all about building a community and helping each other rise. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue supporting our local music scene — together, we can make it even bigger and better!
On 26th June, 2025, Muddy Lemons, winners of Soundbar Battle of The Bands 2024 along with Poseidon's Kiss, and Sisyphus will be playing at the Tote in Collingwood. Don't miss it — it's going to be an epic night of live music!
The Soundbar isn't just about supporting local musicians—Beth, who has owned hospitality businesses on the Ninch for nearly 15 years, is a passionate champion for local produce. From wines, beers, and spirits to farmed goods, local butchers, and suppliers, she’s dedicated to showcasing the best our community has to offer.
During winter, the Soundbar is open for $10 mid-week lunches from Wednesday to Friday, and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday. Whether you're craving our award-winning burgers, classic pub favourites, share plates, or tapas, there's something to satisfy every appetite at the Soundbar!
Follow Soundbar and keep up to date with what's on!
Soundbar
1625 Point Nepean Rd, Capel Sound
Spotlight on Local Talent: Two Buoys Unplugged Hits the Airwaves
on 98.7 RPPFM, Peninsula Radio.
Scott recently had the pleasure of appearing on 98.7 RPPFM Community Radio to share his passion for live music, community engagement, and the inspiring story behind the homegrown competition, Two Buoys Unplugged. This initiative continues to foster local talent and bring the community together through authentic, unplugged performances.
For those who don’t know, Two Buoys is more than just a cocktail bar and restaurant nestled in the heart of Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula – it’s a vibrant hub where music, culture, and community come together.
“As the owner, I’ve always been passionate about supporting emerging talent and giving local musicians a platform to shine,” says Scott. This commitment to fostering local music and culture is what makes Two Buoys a special place for both artists and patrons alike.
His dedication to supporting live music on the Ninch inspired the creation of Two Buoys Unplugged during the aftermath of COVID restrictions—a time when our local music scene desperately needed a spark. What began as a modest initiative to reignite live performances has evolved into a vibrant, highly anticipated annual event.
This year, the competition received over 260 applications—a record-breaking number—reflecting the incredible talent and community interest. From these auditions, 26 to 28 talented contestants will be selected to compete in the 2025 season, showcasing the best of local music and passion.
Winners and runners-up from past seasons have not only shared in a substantial prize pool but, more importantly, they've gained valuable industry exposure and opportunities that have helped propel their musical careers forward. “It is truly humbling to see how far they’ve come and how much the competition means to the artists, the wider community, and the sponsors who support them” says Scott
This year, up to $16,000 in sponsorships has been generously contributed by local businesses who believe in the power of music and the importance of supporting the artists who create it. Scott reflects, "That for me, is the most rewarding part.” It’s this genuine support and community spirit that continue to inspire everyone involved in Two Buoys Unplugged.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to our incredible sponsors:
Humble Creative Studios, Magic Mountain Records, Colemans Music Stores, 98.7 RPPFM Community Radio, Coach Music Academy, Elusive Creative, Pump Engineers, and especially Cargill Custom Guitars.
Your support is vital in helping nurture local talent and keep the spirit of live music alive in the community.
Cargill is a legendary name in Australian music, renowned for handcrafting guitars for some of the world’s biggest rock stars. Today, James “Jimmy” Cargill continues this rich legacy from the very same garage workshop where his father began over 50 years ago. That humble space, packed with musical history, has become an iconic site, a renowned location with its own distinct identity.
Jimmy doesn’t just build guitars; he invites people into his world through his workshop courses, where anyone can learn to handcraft their own custom instrument. His old-school, one-on-one approach is a rare and beautiful thing in today’s fast-paced world. We are truly honoured to have his support this year. As a testament to his generosity, Jimmy is donating a one-of-a-kind acoustic-electric guitar as part of our prize pool—a true gem for any aspiring musician or collector.
Scott is deeply grateful to the sponsors who are modest, passionate businesses that choose to uplift live music on the Ninch. He also extends his sincere appreciation to all the artists, whose courage, creativity, and ability to connect through music is truly special.
Exciting times ahead and cheers to another inspiring season of Two Buoys Unplugged—and to the vibrant community that makes it all possible. Together, we celebrate the power of music and the spirit of local talent.
The Two Buoys Unplugged competition kicks off on the 26th of June 2025 and runs every Thursday night for up to 12 weeks. Each week, three to four talented artists will showcase their skills by performing a full set of songs. The weekly overall winner is determined by crowd votes, which are cast through a convenient app, creating an interactive and lively atmosphere.
The finals are scheduled for September, bringing the best of the season together for an exciting finale.
This year, the venue is encouraging locals who love live music to come down and enjoy a night out, with great deals on food and drinks—$6 schooners and $8 pints. It’s a fantastic vibe for the community to celebrate local talent and good times.
Find out more about upcoming events
The winner of ‘Soundbar Battle of The Bands’ and the winner of
‘Two Buoys Unplugged’ 2025 will have the incredible opportunity to guest feature on
The Daily Mirror at RPPFM, Peninsula Radio—
providing valuable exposure and a platform to showcase their talent.
Stay tuned to RPPFM for more updates and to support this fantastic local venture!
My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the
‘The Daily Mirror’
YOU SMILE
EMBRACE BEING YOU
AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!
To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com
'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.
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