Reviewed by: Liv George
2 Alabama HBCUs to compete in Honda Battle of the Bands + how you can vote for one more to join
It’s nothing new to see Alabama’s historical black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in a national competition but it never gets old seeing them in the spotlight.
Alabama A&M and Alabama State will take their rivalry to the west coast in 2025 after being invited to compete in the Honda Battle of the Bands. Here’s what to know:
- When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
- Where: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California
- Tickets | Facebook | Website
Keep reading to find out more about both bands already headed to the event + see how you can vote to send another Alabama HBCU to the competition.
Two other Alabama schools are competing in a different competition this fall—The National Battle of the Bands in Houston.
Alabama State + Alabama A&M
The initial list of four HBCU bands competing in the event includes:
- Mighty Marching Hornets from Alabama State University
- Maroon + White Band from Alabama A&M University
- Blue + Gold Marching Machine from North Carolina A&T State University
- Human Jukebox Marching Band from Southern University
Since 2003, the Honda Battle of the Bands has been a premiere stage for the showcasing of top HBCU band programs. Last month, Southern and NC A&T were selected by a committee and they were allowed to challenge any other HBCU band to participate, inviting the two schools from Alabama.
Both Alabama A&M and Alabama State competing in the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta back in January. Check out highlights from the 2024 competition.
Who else could join?
The field will include six total HBCU bands with the final two to be voted on by the public. There are 20 other colleges that could still compete including Talladega College.
You can head to the Honda Battle of the Bands website + scroll down to the voting section where you can select Talladega College before submitting a vote.
Voting ends Thursday, August 15 with the two additional bands announced September 10.
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