Backing the next generation of rock talent through the 2025 Battle of the ROCK Bands

Now in its eighth year, the event has become a staple on Brisbane’s youth music calendar, giving high school bands the chance to perform live, develop their craft, and compete for awards.

“We’re excited to support the Battle of the ROCK Bands in 2025 and beyond,” said Mary Carden, Educational Team Leader, TAFE Queensland Brisbane.

“This festival gives young musicians and technicians a platform to shine, and we’re proud to offer training pathways that turn passion into a profession.”

The 2025 Battle of the ROCK Bands will be staged at the Clairvaux MacKillop College’s Mary MacKillop Learning Centre on Thursday, October 9, Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11 evenings. 

Winning bands will have a song recorded in TAFE Queensland’s state-of-the-art recording studio, working with teachers with deep industry experience and connections.

TAFE Queensland offers music and sound production training in professional studios and venues from Certificate II through to bachelor's degrees, including:

• Certificate II in Music (CUA20620) - the first step towards a career in the music industry.
• Certificate III in Music (CUA30920) - an excellent entry-level qualification for aspiring artists and audio professionals.
• Diploma of Music (Performance) (CUA50820) - focused on songwriting, musicianship and stagecraft.
• Diploma of Music (Sound Production) (CUA50820) - covering recording, mixing and live sound
• Bachelor of Creative Industries (Contemporary Music Practice) (ARB403) - develop a broad range of coherent, specialised skills and knowledge.

Mary, a long-serving music teacher, remembers how the TAFE Queensland music courses were initially set up in the 90s with the support of the local music industry.

“Our courses have always been highly regarded because of our industry connections that deliver real-world experience," she said.

• With IJS Productions, students work on live events like the Gympie Muster, gaining hands-on experience in staging, audio and lighting.
• In partnership with The Princess Theatre, sound production students train in a live venue, collaborating with in-house techs to provide audio and lighting for end-of-year performances by music performance students.

TAFE Queensland also offers diploma-to-degree pathways, including entry into the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Contemporary Music Practice) with the University of Canberra.

“We are delighted to have the support of TAFE Queensland,” said John Daly, the Head of the Battle of the ROCK Bands Production.

“As they have recognised the significance the festival has had in the lives of many of the performers who have graced our stage and for the young talented musicians in our midst.”

Whether on stage or behind the scenes, TAFE Queensland is helping students build lasting careers in the music industry.

Event information is on the Battle of the ROCK Bands Facebook and Instagram pages.

John Daly and Mary Carden

Photo credit: Christine Thompson @littlebitesphotography