28 October 2026

 

YOUNG artists aged 10 to 24 showcased their talent through live performances and original music, while gaining valuable experience and connections to help them continue developing their creative and professional skills.

 

Congratulations to the 2026 Battle of the Bands winners:

 

• Kids Clash division (10–14 years): Indelible (with finalists The Dandaraga and Minority)

 

• Youth Battle division (15–24 years): A Decade Dying (with second place Self-Directed, third place Misanthropy and finalist No Second Winning)

 

• eMergent Sounds division winning song (10–24 years): Fractured Reality by A Decade Dying (with finalists Sabotage by Unprotected and Risen-TC by No Second Warning)

 

• Pay it Forward school prize: Kariong High School

 

Winners and finalists received cash prizes and a range of professional development opportunities, including studio recording, artist development and mentoring, radio promotion and opportunities to perform at local events.

 

The competition is part of Council’s Creative Engineers program, which provides children and young people with opportunities to develop their creative skills, gain real-world performance experience, connect with industry professionals and build connections with other emerging artists.

 

The 2026 competition also provided participants with pathways beyond the Grand Final, with selected artists receiving opportunities to perform at local events including The Gossy Weekender, New Year’s Eve and Sound Playground x Let Me Entertain You.

 

Musical pathway opportunities were awarded to:

 

• Indelible (The Gossy Weekender)

 

• Misanthropy and Coastal Riot (Let Me Entertain You presents… live @ The Hub Erina)

 

• Static and Cyrus & The Greats (for New Year's Eve)

 

• Misanthropy, Self Directed and A Decade Dying (Sound Playground x Let Me Entertain You)

 

Central Coast Mayor, John McNamara said supporting young people to build professional skills and industry connections locally is an investment in the future of the Central Coast.

 

“Battle of the Bands provides emerging artists with practical experience and pathways to develop their skills, while connecting them with professionals already working in the industry,” Mayor McNamara said.

 

“Supporting talent at this grassroots level helps strengthen our local creative sector and creates opportunities for more young people to build their skills and pursue creative careers on the Coast.

 

“Congratulations to this year’s winners and to everyone who took part in Battle of the Bands. I’d also like to thank our sponsors and industry partners for backing emerging local talent and helping young artists build their skills, connections and confidence.”

 

Sponsors and partners of Battle of the Bands include Bangerz & Mosh Studios, Central Coast Music & Arts, Coast Academy of Music, Damien Gerard Studios, JC Entertainment & Events, Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD), Ossie & Friends, The Grove Studios, and The Skill Engineer Ltd.

 

Learn more about Council’s Creative Engineers program here and Battle of the Bands here.

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