History Main / BattleOfTheBands

[[folder: Anime]]

* Anime/ShowByRock, has one between the Protagonist band Plasmagica and a band of middle-schoolers called Criticrysta, which ended with the latter winning by the nose. Eventually they had a rematch in which Plasmagica wins, [[spoiler: [[YouHaveFailedMe much to Criticrysta's manager's rage]]]]

* The entire plot of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'' involves the Dazzlings turning a friendly school musical showcase into this; it is an example of both the proverbial (in the form of the overall battle), and the literal (with the Dazzlings and the Rainbooms using magic-enhanced attacks against each other in the finale). The Creator/{{Hasbro}} website includes a promotional game for the movie that's actually titled "[[http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F794D393-5056-9047-F5A0-45D2FDD64CC3:en_US Battle of the Bands]]", providing the page image. Also the very title of the Dazzlings' first song in the film:

* The entire plot of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'' involves the Dazzlings turning a friendly school musical showcase into this; it is an example of both the proverbial (in the form of the overall battle), and the literal (with the Dazzlings and the Rainbooms using magic-enhanced attacks against each other in the finale). The Creator/{{Hasbro}} website includes a promotional game for the movie that's actually titled "[[http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F794D393-5056-9047-F5A0-45D2FDD64CC3:en_US Battle of the Bands]]", providing the page image.

A staple in MusicStories, being the only type of direct {{conflict}} that can take place between musical bands. Everything else is either indirect competition (selling more records, gathering more concert audiences, etc.) or violent off-stage brawls (which are [[ViolenceIsDisturbing not always cool]]).

* The entire plot of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'' involves the Dazzlings turning a friendly school musical showcase into this; it is an example of both the proverbal (in the form of the overall battle), and the literal (as the Dazzlings and the Rainbooms using magic-enhanced attacks against each other in the finale). The Creator/{{Hasbro}} website includes a promotional game from the movie that's actually title "[[http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F794D393-5056-9047-F5A0-45D2FDD64CC3:en_US Battle of the Bands]]", providing the page image.

* The entire plot of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'' involves the Dazzlings turning a friendly rock concert into this. The Creator/{{Hasbro}} website includes a promotional game from the movie that's actually title "[[http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F794D393-5056-9047-F5A0-45D2FDD64CC3:en_US Battle of the Bands]]", providing the page image.

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

[[quoteright:345:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/battleofthebands_3375.jpg]]

A contest where two or more musical bands (usually HardRock or Music/HeavyMetal) decide who is the best. In RealLife, this is usually determined by a judges panel, but in fiction, it often gets turned into an ''actual'' battle, especially when MagicMusic, InstrumentOfMurder, and the literal [[ThePowerOfRock Power of Rock]] get involved.

!! Examples

[[folder:Film]]

* In ''Film/SchoolOfRock'', the one with Jack Black, the climax of the movie is a competition which is called, well... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Battle Of The Bands]]

* ''{{Literature/Goosebumps}}'': ''My Hairiest Adventure'' has the main protagonists as part of a band, who are preparing for a Battle of the Bands at their school when the weirdness begins. [[spoiler:They win, in part due to their "special effects": the hero starting to turn into a dog during the performance.]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* Happened in ''TVTropesTheWebcomic'' arc "Heavy Meta", between [[MeleeATrois the Troper Crue, Lady of War, and Burn the Witch]].
* The subplot of ''SoulSymphony'' revolves around John and his heavy metal friend Charlie forming a band to compete in their school's Battle of the Bands. Of course, Charlie just really wants to win to defeat his [[JerkAss bitter rival.]]

* The ''CatDog'' episode "Battle Of The Bands" had the titular duo enter said competition with Cat playing guitar and Dog playing the drums. However, due to Cat's insistence that they play really, really soft, they were nearly booed out of the competition, until the Greases showed up, having mistaken the competition for an actual battle, which results in CatDog finally winning the Battle of the Bands.
* The 1935 {{Disney}} ''Silly Symphony'' "Music Land" involved a Saxophone from The Isle of Jazz having a RomeoAndJuliet romance with a Violin from Symphony Land, which culminates in the two different styles having an all out musical artillery duel.

* In ''Film/BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'' they dream about being in the school's battle of the bands. In ''Film/BillAndTedsBogusJourney'' they end up at the battle, battling the [[EvilTwin Evil Robot Usses']] band.

* In ''BrutalLegend'', the Battles of the Bands are called "Stage Battles" and are actual ''battles'', with music and instruments used for indiscriminate murder.

A contest where two or more musical bands (usually HardRock or Music/HeavyMetal) decide who is the best. In RealLife, this is usually determined by a judges panel, but in fiction, it often gets turned into an ''actual'' battle, especially when MagicMusic, InstrumentOfMurder, and the literal PowerOfRock get involved.

* The webcomic ''ScaryGoRound'' has a whole chapter named "BattleOfTheBands".

* This is the central premise of Webcomic/BandVsBand.

* The GraemeBase book ''The Worst Band in the Universe''.

* In ''SchoolOfRock'', the one with Jack Black, the climax of the movie is a competition which is called, well... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Battle Of The Bands]]

* ''KingDork'': Tom & Sam's band enters the school [=BotB=] and [[StylisticSuck sucks on purpose]].

* ''BillAndTed'': In ''Excellent Adventure'' they dream about being in the school's battle of the bands. In ''Bogus Journey'' they end up at the battle, battling the [[EvilTwin Evil Robot Usses']] band.

* There is a Wii game called ''Game/BattleOfTheBands''.

* In ''ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'', the Battle of the Bands between Sex Bob-omb and the Katayanagi twins turns into an epic showdown between {{Energy Being}}s representing each side.

A contest where two or more musical bands (usually HardRock or HeavyMetal) decide who is the best. In RealLife, this is usually determined by a judges panel, but in fiction, it often gets turned into an ''actual'' battle, especially when MagicMusic, InstrumentOfMurder, and the literal PowerOfRock get involved.