This year’s Battle of the Bands kicks off at 9 p.m. tonight in the Rathskeller. The All Campus Programming Board-sponsored event is free for Kent State students and $2 for non-students. Tonight’s line-up features Joey Priore, Stayatheart, Foxx Hunt and the Meloncholy Pentre.

Battle of the Bands consists of four preliminary rounds, and one band from each round will advance to the final. The preliminary rounds will be tonight and April 10, 11 and 17, and the final is held April 24. Four bands will play each night. The grand prize is a spot on the FlashFest lineup and free recording time at a local studio.

The contest will be judged by three people who represent several different on-campus organizations and student groups. Each will score the acts on a 50-point scale. Audience members will also be able to vote, which will factor into the final decision.

“Think of it as a bicameral legislature,” ACPB president Doug Hite said.

While many bands expressed interest in this year’s battle, Rathskeller programmer Alex Tucker said there were some restrictions on who was eligible to play.

“The one big requirement to get into the Battle of the Bands was that at least one member has to be a Kent State student,” he said.

Tucker said he thinks the requirements are a good thing, ensuring that student bands are given a chance to showcase their talent.

Tucker also said he is excited for the winning band to open FlashFest.

“It’s great exposure, and they will have a guaranteed crowd,” he said.

-Katie Young