CLEVELAND – Live Nation and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are proud to announce the 27th Annual Tri-C® High School Rock Off, which will feature 30 incredibly talented attractions. The three performance rounds will take place February 3, 10 and 17 at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, all leading up to The Final Exam on Saturday, March 2, where the 2024 “Best Band in The Land” will be awarded by music and entertainment industry judges. This year marks the final year of the legendary battle of the bands competition!
“It’s been an incredible run”, said Barry Gabel, Senior Vice President of Live Nation, Producer and Founder of the annual event. “From the beginning, the goal of the Rock Off was to provide a unique opportunity for young, passionate musicians to perform in front of their friends and family, while connecting with industry professionals at iconic local venues such as The Odeon, House of Blues and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Rock Off experience has been a joy to see evolve, igniting a pathway to our industry for high school students on so many levels. Over the past 27 years, we have seen these students grow into adults with careers in all facets of the music industry, both locally and nationally, behind the scenes or even on stage. The Rock Off has been much more than just another battle of the bands. It has provided a pathway for young students in Northeast Ohio and beyond to build relationships, gain invaluable experience that will ultimately jumpstart their journey within the music industry as an eventual career. The Rock Off may be ending, but the connections and friendships that have been made over the past 27 years will last a lifetime.”
“Working with Live Nation and the Rock Hall creates an unparalleled opportunity for Tri-C to help students jumpstart careers in music performance, marketing, promotion and recording technology,” said Vennie Palmer, Manager of Tri-C’s Recording Arts & Technology and Film & Media Arts programs. “We help focus their passion and provide high-tech training, industry connections and transfer opportunities to some of the top music universities in the world. Rock Off alumni work in all facets of the music industry such as recording studios, concert halls and arenas, equipment manufacturing, broadcasting, marketing, promotion, touring and with companies like House of Blues, Live Nation and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Tri-C students have an amazing opportunity to connect with artists and professionals in meaningful and productive ways as a result of these partnerships.”
“Celebrating its 27th anniversary, the High School Rock Off is one of our most exciting events of the year. It has empowered young students, been a launchpad to successful music careers, and an opportunity for select participants to perform at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame events.” said Greg Harris, President and CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “This year’s showcase reflects the pent-up creative energy of youth in Northeast Ohio and represents the diversity of rock & roll. We are grateful to Live Nation and Tri-C for inspiring thousands of young people over the past 27 years.”
Since this is the 27th annual celebration, we thought who better to bring in to help support this group of young rockstars than 27 Club Coffee, Machine Gun Kelly’s unapologetically authentic coffee lounge and kitchen. The 27 Club serves decadent coffees, delicious food and themed cocktails with an aesthetic meant to reflect and pay homage to the notorious group of legendary musicians and artists that have gone before us. At this year’s HS Rock Off, 27 Club Coffee will be taking over a designated area to dish out their infamous menu and further integrate the rock atmosphere through their food and beverage. Enjoy pink photo moments and special menu items only available through the event series. 27 Club Coffee will also be supporting the contest by adding to our prize packages.
Each act in the semi-final performance rounds will play a 15-minute set. Four (4) bands will be selected by a panel of music industry judges to move on to The Final Exam. All finalists will receive the opportunity to record one original song at Tri-C’s Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts, which will be produced by Jim Stewart Recording and students from Tri-C Recording Arts and Technology program. These songs will be available as free downloads on www.rockhall.com/rockoff at the time of The Final Exam.
SCHEDULE OF BANDS
Participating bands in the three semi-final performance rounds are listed alphabetically by performance date. Performance times will be determined the day of each performance. Performance dates, bands and times are subject to change. Doors to the Rock Hall will open at 6pm with the first band hitting the stage at 6:30pm.
Round 1 - Saturday, February 3
- Clarence & The Beekeepers (Avon, Amherst)
- Compass (Jackson, Jackson Memorial Middle)
- Earth vs. The Flying Saucers (Lakewood, St. Ignatius)
- Floor Band (Hudson)
- Francesca Tarantino (Windermere Preparatory School - Winter Garden, FL)
- Gardenshed (Defiance)
- Luminescence (Avon Lake, Amherst, Learwood Middle)
- Slam (Copley, Revere)
- The 178 (Greenville - Greenville, MO)
- The Little Ditties (Lakewood)
- Virtigo (University, North Ridgeville, Lakewood, Olmsted Falls)
Round 2 - Saturday, February 10
- HAGS (Olmsted Falls)
- Inertia (Avon, Avon Lake, Amherst, Bay, Olmsted Falls)
- Just Water (Nordonia, Solon)
- Modern Yesterday (Philadelphia HS for Creative & Performing Arts, Girard Academic Music Program, Northeast, Father Judge - Philadelphia, PA)
- Norah Marie (Lake Ridge Academy)
- Radioactive Marz (Avon, Holy Trinity, Learwood Middle, Troy Intermediate)
- Running With Scissors (St. Edwards, Avon Lake, Avon Middle, Troy Intermediate)
- Solypsis (Toledo School for the Arts)
- The Remedy (Lakewood, St. Ignatius)
Round 3 - Saturday, February 17
- Blue Illusion (Avon Lake)
- Easton Evans (Solon)
- Ecstasy (Normandy, Brunswick, Old Brooke)
- Glacial Erratic (Bay, Avon)
- HBSANLMM (Jefferson Area)
- Kami Huff (Dover)
- Screams of Sanity (Chippewa, Wadsworth, Hudson)
- Split Point (Hilliard Bradley)
- The Band Henna (Cannon, Lake Norman Charter, Mallard Creek, Hough - Statesville, NC)
- Tusk (Aurora, Normandy, North Royalton, Kirtland)
PRIZES
The winning band will receive $3,000 cash and $250 for their high school music program. Second place will receive $1,500 cash and $100 for their high school music program and third place will receive $500 cash all courtesy of Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels.
The winning band will also receive the opportunity to perform at a format-appropriate Live Nation or House of Blues Cleveland concert or special event as an opening act.
All of the Final Exam bands will receive a gift card from 27 Club Coffee and winners will be awarded a special prize package with merchandise.
HOW TO PURCHASE DIGITAL TICKETS FOR 2024 ROCK OFF (INCLUDES ADMISSION TO ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME)- Tickets go on sale Thursday, Jan 18, 2024 at 10am ET
Tickets for the performance rounds, including The Final Exam are $15 for students, $20 for adults and include admission to the Rock Hall the night of the event. Digital tickets can be purchased through the participating bands using a code provided by each band or on the Roll Hall website, while supplies last. There will be no printed tickets for either semi-final rounds or The Final Exam.
MORE INFO
The latest information about the Rock Off will be posted on www.rockhall.com/rockoff, on Facebook at High School Rock Off, Twitter @HSRockOff and Instagram @HSRockOff, using #HSRockOff.
The 2024 Rock Off is produced by Live Nation and sponsored by The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cuyahoga Community College, Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, 27 Club Coffee, FOX 8, 96.5 KISS FM, 100.7 WMMS, iHeartMedia and Jim Stewart Recording.