Six battles. Five boroughs. One ultimate winner.
Our Battle of the Boroughs is back for a fifth season! We’re looking for this year’s best undiscovered performer in New York City. Hundreds of submissions poured in and this year we took the Battle to the streets for the first time, holding live auditions in music venues across the five boroughs.
We dug through all of the entries, and this year’s crop of talent didn’t disappoint. From Arabian-influenced metal and gypsy/cabaret to rock-reggae and an all-woman drum circle, the 60 musical acts we’ve chosen span all genres and capture the energy and diversity of the city’s music scene.
We’ll host five borough concerts emceed by WQXR’s Terrance McKnight, with in-studio and online audiences voting for their favorite act until we’re left with one finalist from each borough. They’ll move on to the final showdown – the Ultimate Battle on June 27 – where they’ll battle for bragging rights and prizes – including a showcase appearance at the famed Apollo Theater.
Thanks to all the talented performers who entered! And be sure to join the conversation on Twitter with #TGSBattle
And now…the 2014 Battle of the Boroughs contestants:
MANHATTAN
Friday, February 7
SOLD OUT!
- Joe Stone (Country/Blues)
- Matt Panayides Group (Jazz)
- Preachermann and The Revival (Atomic Soul)
- AYoinmotion (Hip Hop)
- Léla Sophia (Indie/Pop)
- Kavita Shah: “Visions” (World Music)
- TriBeCaStan (World Music/Jazz/Americana)
- 5j Barrow (Folk, Indie, Rock) *BOROUGH WINNER
- Sun Looks Down (Dream-Pop and Psychedelic Indie Rock)
- Julie Hill and Element Ensemble (Chamber Pop)
- Jeremiah Birnbaum (Rock)
- MARTiNA (Singer Songwriter)
QUEENS
Friday, March 7
BUY NOW!
- Tati Ana (Electronic, Rock, Indie)
- MONECO (Cumbia)
- Annika (Singer/Songwriter) *BOROUGH WINNER
- Born of Scars (Hard Rock)
- Nick Moran (Funky Blues)
- 85th (Hip Hop)
- Tarantinos NYC (Instrumental Surf Rock)
- Jeneen Terrana (Folk Rock)
- Jim Wilson’s Ticket (Rock)
- A Hypocrite & Slanderer (Rock)
- Jessica Rowboat (Acoustic/Folk Rock)
- Chris Shamkin (Singer Songwriter)
THE BRONX
Friday, April 4
BUY NOW!
- August Hill (Hip Hop)
- Flowfreequan (Hip Hop)
- Park After Dark (Alternative Rock)
- Nando Griffiths and Pure Fyah (Reggae)
- Stef Lebaux (Electronic/Trip Hop)
- Bob Gaulke (Pop)
- Angels in the Chamber (Folk Pop)
- Tatiana Scott (R&B)
- Royal Khaoz (Reggae Rock) *BOROUGH WINNER
- Bryan Durieux Project (R&B /Soul/Alternative)
- Yurby (Alternative Folk/Rock/Blues)
STATEN ISLAND
Friday, May 2
BUY NOW!
- Tom Cintula & The Buffalo 24 (Acoustic Pop Rock)
- Leila Hegazy (Singer Songwriter) *BOROUGH WINNER
- Aerial Marie (Alternative Pop / Rock)
- Giga Herbs (Mystical-Mythical-Indie-Space-Rock)
- Audiometry (Rock Instrumental)
- Canvas Radio (Acoustic Folk Rock)
- Sara J (Pop/Folk)
- Frank Schiazza (Soul/Pop)
- Rising Sun All Stars (Soul/Hip Hop)
BROOKLYN
Friday, June 6
BUY NOW!
- The Debutante Hour (Cabaret Pop)
- Michelle Amador (Americana)
- Werewitch (Alternative)
- Heylady (Funk/Soul) *BOROUGH WINNER
- Orphan Jane (Gypsy/Cabaret)
- The Hue-man Ethnic Movement (Hip Hop)
- Pontus (Progressive Rock)
- Flying Home (Swing)
- Roberto De Parana (Bossa Nova)
- The Harmonica Lewinskies (Blues Rock/Funk/Dad Rock)
- Aabaraki (Alt-Soul)
