Murphy Arts District (MAD) in El Dorado will host MAD Battle, Saturday, July 16, in the First Financial Music Hall, a battle of the bands style competition with the overall winner taking home a cash prize of $1,250. Previous winners include Akeem Kemp Band (2019) and deFrance (2021).

 

“This is our third year to do MAD Battle,” said MAD Marketing Coordinator Joanna Benson. “We skipped 2020 due to COVID, but were able to bring it back in 2021 with social distancing precautions. Last year, we saw several new bands enter the competition and double the entries from the first year. We’ve changed the prize money up this time around, so we’re hoping that will encourage even more bands to enter.

 

From the high-energy performances to all the backstage band camaraderie, this is my favorite MAD event,” she added.

 

Four-piece metal band, She Hates Me Not, will be traveling to El Dorado from Tulsa for the competition. The up-and-coming band – made up of Jett Fleeman, Machai Burggraf, Nico Stevens, and Ryder Burggraf – took the top prize at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Battle of the Bands fundraiser at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa in April.

 

 

Cash prizes include: 

1st place – $1,250

2nd place – $500

3rd place – $250

 

Tickets will be $10 per person in advance, or $15 day of show. Kids six and under are allowed in for free. Doors to the First Financial Music Hall will open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. More information can be found at www.eldomad.com/madbattle.com. Sponsor opportunities are available by emailing danielh@eldofest.com.