Battle of the Bands search for talent to shine at Angus and Stirling music festivals

Up-and-coming rock talent is being given a new chance to shine in a Battle of the Bands competition hosted by Bonfest in Kirriemuir.

A spot on the main stage at the three-day AC/DC celebration in 2028 awaits the winners of the new event.

They will also perform at Summer’s End Angus and Doune the Rabbit Hole next summer.

The competition will see bands progress through a public vote, two live semi-finals and a grand final.

The top band is guaranteed six festival appearances across 2027 and 2028.

Organisers hope it will create a direct route for emerging and developing bands to established festival stages across Scotland.

“This is more than a single festival slot,” said Scott Ferguson of Bonfest organisers, DD8 Music charity.

“It is a genuine breakout opportunity, offering the winning band sustained exposure throughout 2027 and the chance to perform for audiences at five established Scottish festivals.

The competition winners will play at:

• Bonfest 2027 Town Hall Stage
• Summer’s End Angus 2027
• Doune the Rabbit Hole 2027
• Party at the Palace 2027
• WinterStorm 2027

“The journey will then come full circle in Kirriemuir, where the winner will perform on the Bonfest main stage in 2028,” said Scott.

Summer’s End Angus is the newest arrival on the independent festival scene after a sparkling debut in August. The Kaiser Chiefs have already been announced as headliners for the 2027 festival at Brechin Castle Showground.

The competition organisers want to hear from emerging and developing bands capable of delivering a strong live set.

Submissions must be made by bands themselves and not fan nominations.

The closing date is Saturday October 10.

Applications should be submitted directly to Bonfest using the official application form.

Once applications close, eligible submissions will be presented through a public vote on Facebook.

This will give fans of the bands and Scotland’s wider live-music community the opportunity to discover the bands and help decide which acts progress.

The highest-supported acts will advance to one of two live semi-finals.

Those will be the west coast semi-final at WinterStorm in Troon on Sunday November 29 and The Attic in Kirriemuir on Saturday December 5.

The finalists will perform in a showdown hosted by Bonfest and Summer’s End Angus in Kirrie on February 6.

Scott added: “We’re looking for developing bands with a strong live show and the ambition to take the next step.

“You don’t need to be an established name or arrive with a huge following.

“We’re interested in bands with something about them – a strong identity, an engaging live performance and the potential to connect with festival audiences.

This article appeared in the Courier on 29 September 2026