WinterStorm Rock Weekender

After the Storm Bonfest Battle of the Bands

30/09/2026

WinterStorm are delighted to be hosting one of the heats for our festival friends BONFEST for a great new opportunity for bands to hit a series of festival stages in 2027 as part of our expanded After the 'Storm Sunday.

WinterStorm, Doune the Rabbit Hole and Summer’s End are coming together in support of a new Battle of the Bands competition hosted by Bonfest, creating a direct route for emerging and developing bands onto established festival stages across Scotland.

The competition will take bands through a public vote, two live semi-finals and a Grand Final, with the eventual winner securing four festival appearances across 2027 and 2028.

Rather than offering a single gig or one-off showcase, the aim is to create a genuine pathway for bands to get in front of new audiences, demonstrate what they can do live and earn opportunities across established Scottish festivals.

The Prize

The winning band will secure:

  • Bonfest 2027 – Town Hall Stage
  • Summer’s End 2027
  • Doune the Rabbit Hole 2027
  • WinterStorm 2027
  • Bonfest 2028 – Main Stage

The prize is designed to offer more than a single festival appearance, giving the winning band the opportunity to perform across four events during 2027 before returning to Kirriemuir in 2028 to make the step up to the Bonfest Main Stage.

How It Works

1. Applications

Applications are invited from emerging and developing bands capable of delivering a strong live set.

The proposed closing date for submissions is 10 October 2026, subject to final confirmation.

Applications should be made directly to Bonfest using the official submission form:

Submit Entry

2. Public Vote

Once applications close, eligible submissions will be put forward to a public vote on Facebook.

This gives fans, supporters and the wider Scottish live music community the opportunity to discover the bands and help decide who progresses to the live stages of the competition.

The highest-supported acts from the public vote will progress to one of two live semi-finals.

3. West Coast Semi-Final – Troon

The West Coast Semi-Final will take place as part of After the ’Storm Sunday at Troon Concert Hall on: Sunday 29 November 2026,1pm–6pm

Selected bands will perform a 30-minute live set on the upstairs WinterStorm Sessions Stage.

The stage will be equipped with:

- Festival PA system
- Festival lighting production
- Shared backline
- Drum kit, with drummers providing their own breakables
- Standard stage and production support

Full technical information and advancing details will be supplied to participating bands ahead of the event.

4. East Coast Semi-Final – Kirriemuir

The East Coast Semi-Final will take place at The Attic in Kirriemuir on: Saturday 5 December 2026

Bands progressing to the East Coast Semi-Final will perform live for the opportunity to secure a place in the Grand Final.

Full event and production details will be provided ahead of the event.

5. The Grand Final – Kirriemuir

The successful bands from the two semi-finals will come together for the Grand Final in Kirriemuir on: Saturday 6 February 2027

The Grand Final will determine the overall winner of the Bonfest Battle of the Bands and who takes the four-show festival prize.

Band Expenses

Every band selected to perform at one of the live semi-finals will receive £150 towards expenses.

Further arrangements for bands progressing to the Grand Final will be provided ahead of the event.

What We’re Looking For:

We're looking for emerging and 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.

The competition is about giving bands an opportunity to get in front of new audiences, gain valuable festival experience and show what they can do on a bigger stage.

If you're building momentum and ready to make the most of the opportunity, we want to hear from you.

The Road to the Festivals

Applications Open

Applications Close – 10 October 2026 (provisional)

Facebook Public Vote

WEST COAST SEMI-FINAL
After the ’Storm, Troon Concert Hall
Sunday 29 November 2026

EAST COAST SEMI-FINAL
The Attic, Kirriemuir
Saturday 5 December 2026

GRAND FINAL
Kirriemuir
Saturday 6 February 2027

THE PRIZE

Bonfest Town Hall Stage 2027
Summer’s End 2027
Doune the Rabbit Hole 2027

 

BONFEST MAIN STAGE 2028


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