By “Tampa” Earl Burton
Live Review: Battle of the Bands – Seminole Hard Rock, Tampa – November 19, 2025
One of the wonderful things about rock and roll is the chance to display new artists and bands. Usually, it is done through clubs and bars, but there are occasional showcase competitions – “the battle of the bands,” if you will – that provide this opportunity. On Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s Hard Rock Café, this opportunity was available through the Eighth Annual Hard Rock Rising Tampa Battle of the Bands; the bands weren’t the only beneficiary, as the audience in attendance roared their approval for each act.
Competitive Process to Reach Final Four
Since 2017, the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa and radio station 97X have partnered to offer this big break for a fortunate local act. In the past, it led the winning band to take the stage at the 97X Next Big Thing show. For 2025, however, 97X upped the stakes by offering a package to the winning band featuring airplay on the station, along with appearing at the next 97X show, a push that any young rock band would be eager to grasp.
It was not going to be an easy path for the bands. According to Hard Rock public relations spokesperson Alexis Roos (who also served as the emcee for the evening’s festivities), more than fifty bands submitted packages for consideration, each containing at least two original tracks. Once that initial process ended, a select committee voted on the top three entries. There was a “wild card” chance for four to six bands, who had to work their way through voting on social media. This process was how the four acts for the Wednesday night show were chosen.
This process was completed at the end of October, and the Wednesday night show provided the final drive for these artists. Each band was allocated a thirty-minute set, and the bands would be graded by a Judge’s Panel that considered five aspects of their performance – Originality (30%), Musicianship (30%), Vocal Ability (20%), and Marketability (20%). The band that achieved the highest score would be crowned the champion of the 2025 Hard Rock Rising Tampa Battle of the Bands and walk away with the winner-take-all prize.
Variety of Styles Featured on Hard Rock Stage
Roos’ emcee talents were evident when she introduced the four featured acts to the stage, and it was apparent that a variety of styles were represented. There was the alt-rock band Face the Fence, who had won the “wild card” entry into the show; the pop-rock stylings of Eleni and the Uprising; a six-person melodic rock outfit in NICAEA (pronounced NY-SEE-ah); and the throwback rock in Saints of Saturn. The Hard Rock Café was packed with supporters of all four bands, and the bands would do their part to provide an outstanding show for those in attendance.
It is always tough to lead off a show, but Face the Fence did an excellent job of breaking the ice with the audience. They were arguably the youngest band that took to the Hard Rock stage on Wednesday night, but you wouldn’t have known it from their performance as they played like seasoned veterans. The band provided an excellent backdrop for Jordan’s stirring vocals and, even as the “wild card” entry, they threw down the gauntlet that the other bands on the Hard Rock Rising bill would have to top.
Up next was Eleni and the Uprising, who brought a peppy pop-rock vibe to the proceedings. Behind the vocals of Eleni DeGeorge, the Uprising provided the power pop backing that brought out the best in DeGeorge’s performance. This band has been around the Tampa scene for some time and has built an excellent fan base. They also have a new tune out called “I Used to Love You (I Really Hate You),” which was an outstanding juxtaposition, lyrically and musically, between DeGeorge’s “sweet” sounding voice (she delivered some devastating cuts with the lyrics, all with a gleam in her eye) and the power of the Uprising.
The melodic rockers NICAEA, with their six-member band, crowded the Hard Rock stage, but they pulled off an excellent performance featuring top-notch musicianship. Lead vocals from a duo of ladies provided nearly an ethereal texture as the band delivered a complex rock sound that somehow meshed with the women and their talents. They also frequently perform in the Tampa area, where they mix originals and cover tunes.
Closing out the festivities for Hard Rock Rising was the throwback band Saints of Saturn. This band took a Seventies-style rock sound and updated it well for today’s audience. Originally known as The Dirty Janes, Saints of Saturn call Tampa home but have an extensive reach across central Florida with performances that go from Jacksonville to Clearwater. It is easy to see why this band is in such demand – they put on an excellent show, with hard-driving, aggressive, blues-based rock, and they had a commanding stage presence.
Once the Saints stepped off the stage, the tension mounted as the bands waited for the judges’ decision. After a twenty-minute debate, Roos would bring up the two bands who would be in contention for the grand prize in NICAEA and Saints of Saturn. Roos built the drama nicely before announcing the winner…Saints of Saturn, who excitedly accepted the grand prize from 97X and the Hard Rock Tampa.
While Saints of Saturn may have earned the “winner-take-all” prize, that in no way makes what Face the Fence, Eleni and the Uprising, and NICAEA did any less impressive. All four bands have bright futures ahead of them, and it will be interesting to see where they are five years from now. Could the next great rock band come from Tampa? If the level of excellence of the competitors at Hard Rock Rising Tampa is any indication, we are holding our own in the discovery of new rock and roll!
- Hard Rock Rising Crowns Champion on Wednesday at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa - November 20, 2025
- GWAR, Helmet Highlight Diverse Lineup Sunday at The Ritz Ybor - November 19, 2025
- Chatting with Aussie artist Chez - November 13, 2025
