The search for Chattanooga’s most promising local band returns April 3-19 during the Road to Nightfall competition, which takes the winning band to the headline position of the May 16 Nightfall concert at Miller Plaza. The 2025 Road to Nightfall commences next week with some of the area’s most exciting emerging artists. This six-night competition will take place at The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St.
Starting Thursday, 23 local bands will showcase their unique talents over the course of five evenings. Each night, the band with the most audience votes will advance to the finals, to be held on April 19, where a panel of judges in the music industry will determine who wins the Nightfall headline spot. The winning band will also receive a performance spot during the Highland Park Porchfest event, a single recorded and produced at Songbird Foundation's Deadbird Studios, as well as a $25 gift card to each band member and a two song, live session recorded and produced by Yellow Racket Records.
This year’s Road to Nightfall lineup features an impressive range of musical styles, from rock and blues to indie and Latin fusion. Audiences will have the opportunity to support and vote for their favorite acts, helping to shape the future of Chattanooga’s vibrant music scene.
Each night doors will open at 7 p.m. to all ages with a cover charge of $10. Advance tickets are on sale at nightfallchattanooga.com. A full bar will be available throughout the show, and crepes from Adelle’s Creperie will be offered until 9 p.m.
The competition schedule is as follows, with bands listed in order of appearance:
April 3
Boulder Thief
Brain & Bone
Power Clinic
Rosehouse
Weatherwise
April 4
ANNETTA
Blackjack Saddle
I Before E
Subkonscious
Triptych
April 5
Cuarto Cinco
Dock Party
Jarian Green
ZanTeddy
April 10
Alex the Band
Angels of the Gate
Cara Madaris
Emerald Butler
April 11
Abriles & The Latin Combo
Caleb Lovely
Karen Collins
Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers
The Band Chickamauga
April 19 - THE FINALS
Sponsors for Road to Nightfall are Toyota of Cleveland and Kia of Chattanooga the Tennessee Music Commission and Yellow Racket Records. It is produced by Chattanooga Presents, in partnership with Gig City Production.