The 2025 Sonicbids Official SXSW Party presented by JanSport – Battle of the Bands
Welcome to the 18th annual Battle of the Bands competition! This exciting initiative is brought to you by Sonicbids, the platform that connects bands with gig opportunities, and JanSport, the original outdoor gear brand trusted by adventurers worldwide. Every year, we invite unsigned bands from the globe to participate in this contest. Not only do you get a chance to showcase your music to a global audience, but you also stand a chance to perform at the Sonicbids Official SXSW Party presented by JanSport in 2025. So, whether you’ve been tuning your guitar in your garage or belting out songs in your bedroom, this is your chance to shine!
Starting today until November 1, 2025, amateur, unsigned bands who have submitted to SXSW are invited to submit a song, photo, video, and bio for the chance to win the JanSport Battle of the Bands contest. Once you’ve submitted to SXSW at www.sonicbids.com/sxsw, you will receive further instructions from Sonicbids on how to make your free submission to the JanSport Battle of the Bands competition.
Selection Process and Prizes
public submissions, JanSport, and Sonicbids will shortlist the top 50 semifinalists. From November 17 to December 17, the public can vote for their favorite band to determine the top 10 finalists. The top ten finalists will be on January 3, 2026. Of these 10 finalists, JanSport, in conjunction with Sonicbids, will select the grand prize winner to be revealed on January 25, 2026.
Each of the top ten finalists will receive a JanSport prize package consisting of a JanSport original Right Pack and a luggage set. The contest’s grand prize winner will receive JanSport’s Right Pack and luggage set, in addition to a 3-day, 2-night trip for the band to Austin, Texas, and the opportunity to play the Sonicbids Official Party at SXSW 2026 presented by JanSport.
Why We Host This Battle
“Self-expression has always been at the core of the JanSport brand, and this competition allows us to embrace that attribute via music,” said Ann Daw, marketing director for JanSport. “The Battle of the Bands has consistently been a huge success, enabling us to discover many talented musicians.”
“Brands like JanSport are tapping into the indie music scene as emerging -on-bet” target=”_blank”> have very strong and powerful connections with their fanbases. Our mission aligns Sonicbids with brands that can elevate our members’ careers,” said Panos Panay, founder, and CEO, Sonicbids. “We’re thrilled to unite with JanSport this year to engage our ‘ fans in selecting a band for Sonicbids Official SXSW Party.”
The 2026 South by Southwest music festival will be held March 16-20 in Austin, TX.
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