Battle of the Bands

Celebrating 20 Years of Battle of the Bands in 2025

The 2025 Battle of the Bands Ryde competition is for young people aged 12 to 24 years and runs each year during Youth Week.

This year the competition was held at Lachlan's Line Auditorium on Wednesday 16 April and included an exciting live radio broadcast from the Youth Jukebox team at 2RRR. If you missed the broadcast, you can listen to it online.

Meet our 2025 Winners

  • A band of four musicians play on stage

    First Place

    The winners of our $2000 Katcha Music Recording Session – Fishpox!

    Fishpox has been growing since 2023 and plays rock, shoegaze and punk-inspired music with influences originating from Nirvana and Sonic Youth.

    You can check out Fishpox on their Instagram and YouTube channel.

  • A band of three play on stage

    Second Place

    The winners of the $1000 Mall Music Voucher – Freak!

    Freak is back for their third year at Battle of the Bands, playing as many competitions and festivals as they can! They have been playing together since they were twelve and have transitioned from playing covers of Nirvana, Guns & Roses and AC/DC to performing their own songs.

    See more of Freak on their Instagram and YouTube channel.

  • A band of four musicians play music on stage

    Third Place

    The winners of the $500 Mall Music Voucher – The Norm!

    The Norm have been playing together since they were thirteen and have been busy playing festivals, winning their interschool Battle of the Bands and releasing their first demo! They love to cover pop, rock and indie songs and really make them their own.

    You can follow The Norm on their Instagram.

  • A band of musicians play on stage

    Bonus Prize

    On the night, there was a prize for the band who had the most mentions at the door – a $250 Mall Music Voucher.

    By an absolute landslide our youngest up and coming band The Commissioners won!

    The Commissioners have been playing together for three years and are inspired by grunge and pop-punk music like Black Sabbath and Green Day.

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