High Sierra Launches Multi-City Band Contest For Final 2025 Festival Slot

Hot on the heels of completing the initial rollout of this year's lineup, High Sierra Music Festival organizers have brought back the Band Contest to determine the final act that will open the Vaudeville Tent on Saturday, July 5. This competition, designed to spotlight fresh talent and align with the festival’s commitment to musical discovery, will unfold across five physical venues and through online participation.

Celebrating its 33rd year, the High Sierra Music Festival returns to its longtime home at Plumas County Fairgrounds in Quincy, California over the 4th of July Weekend, July 3-6, 2025. The band that wins the competition will join a lineup that includes ALO, Andy Frasco, Daniel Donato, Holly Bowling, The Slip, The Barr Brothers, John Craigie, Karina Rykman, LaMP, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, Low Cut Connie, Lyrics Born, Nathan Moore, Mikaela Davis, Mike Dillon & Punkadelick, Molly Tuttle, Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini and more.

“My goal is to turn people on to music they’ve never heard before while also embracing the sounds that have defined High Sierra for more than three decades,” explained festival producer Dave Margulies in regards to the Band Contest. “We book over 50 acts each year, and for many fans, these artists will be heard for the first time in Quincy. That’s part of the magic of High Sierra—every year, someone discovers their new favorite band.”

Interested artists must submit applications to the High Sierra Music Festival Band Contest by March 31. Read a breakdown of the process for this year’s competition:

1. Record a video of you and/or your band playing music and share it with HSMF by 3/31.
2. In your submission, please make sure to select which Region you would like to compete in (or if you’d prefer the online contest).
3. The High Sierra Team will review the entries and select 4 semi-finalists for each Region/group.
4. Regional Semi-Finalists will compete in LIVE Band Contests in their respective markets and judged by members of the High Sierra Team and 2025 lineup.
5. Online Semi-Finalists will be shared on social media and the video with the most engagement by 5/2 will move into the Final Round.
6. The Finalists from each region and online will then go head-to-head through a round of voting online, and the winner will receive a spot on the High Sierra Music Festival 2025 lineup opening up the Vaudeville Tent on Saturday.

The live semi-final contests will take place at San Francisco’s Boom Boom Room on April 17 (MC/Judge: Pamela Parker); Fairfax, California’s Peri’s on April 24 (MC/Judges: Graham Patzner Whiskerman, Tom Quell of The Heeters, Erin Chapin of Rainbow Girls); Portland, Oregon’s Goodfoot Lounge on April 24 (Judge: Scott Pemberton); Talent, Oregon’s Talent Club on April 30 (Judge: Josh Clark of Tea Leaf Green) and Nevada City, California’s Crazy Horse on May 1 (MC/Judge: Simon Kurth of Mescalito). As noted above, those entering should select which region they’d like to compete in or opt for the online contest.

Learn more about changes coming to this year’s event by reading our Q&A with HSMF's Dave Margulies. Hit the button below for the full lineup, ticketing links and additional information.