New Canaan Restaurant To Host Battle Of The Bands Events In January

Information via Rock Paper Scissors Custom Events

NEW CANAAN, CT — Gates Restaurant is celebrating 5-years of championing local music and raising funds for Meals on Wheels in New Canaan by hosting "Battle of the Bands" events in January.

According to a news release provided by Rock Paper Scissors Custom Events, this highly charged production consists of four weekly heats and an electrifying final, hosted by radio presenter Jon Kamal.

Produced by Rock Paper Scissors Custom Events, it is generously sponsored by Karl Chevrolet and CycleBar, Stamford. The competition is fierce, and it attracts talented bands and music lovers from all over Fairfield County.

Weekly heats see two bands play a one-hour set, at the end of both sets the audience collectively cheer for who they want to put through to the final. Emcee Jon Kamal will then get the final say based on song choice, energy, interaction, talent, and crowd screams.

The 2024 bands, including four finalists from 2023, are as follows:

• Saturday, Jan. 6: Pretty Nasty (8pm) v Captain Obvious (9:30pm)
• Saturday, Jan. 13: Retro Express (8pm) v Mind the Gap (9:30pm)
• Saturday, Jan 20: The Leftovers (8pm) v Herman & Co (9:30pm)
• Saturday, Jan 27: Dead Weight (8pm) v Rock Paper Soul (9:30pm)

The ticketed final on Saturday, Feb. 3, features four bands playing - special guest judges are recruited to decide their fate. For 2024, the event has secured Paul Green, founder of School of Rock, PG Academy, record producer and screenwriter, and his wife, Kim France, editor, music writer and author.

Back for a third year is renowned international author James Frey.

"This event has grown from year to year in terms of popularity and talent," Organizer Rachel Lampen said in a news release. "I have bands contacting me a year in advance to compete, and the final is always sold out. It’s the best tonic for January and when the final two bands play the same song – the crowd go wild."

Gates Restaurant, which opened in 1979, is an iconic family sports bar and restaurant located at 10 Forest Street in New Canaan with live music every Saturday night.

Tickets for the 2024 final are $22 per person and available to purchase here.