Honda Battle of the Bands returns with Live Showcase Event at Alabama State University
Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm field performance at the 2020 Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
The Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) returns to a live event format Saturday, February 18, 2023, showcasing spectacular marching bands and dance teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The premiere marching band event for HBCUs, HBOB also will be held in a new location when the invitational showcase takes place for the first time on an HBCU campus at Alabama State University in Montgomery Alabama. Previous HBOB events were held in Atlanta.
HBOB marks its 18th year as one of the largest celebrations for Black culture and musical excellence. Six marching bands were selected to perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), they are the following:
Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets
Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets - 7th appearance
Langston University Marching Pride - 4th appearance
Morgan State University Magnificent Marching Machine - 1st appearance
Savannah State University Powerhouse of the South - 7th appearance
Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul - 3rd appearance
Virginia State University Trojan Explosion - 10th appearance
Each school represented by the six bands will receive an institutional grant from Honda to support their music education programs, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to the Invitational Showcase.
Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South field performance at the 2020 Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.
Celebrity Hosts will be legendary comedian, author, television host, award-winning radio host and Alabama State University alum, Rickey Smiley will serve as the host for the 2023 HBOB live event. Emmy and two-time NAACP Image Award-winning host, comedian, actress, author and Prairie View A&M university alumni, Loni Love will host the livestream.
Tickets for the HBOB Invitational Showcase are on sale at www.hondabattleofthebands.com.