ASU hosting 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands this weekend

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama State University will host the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands event this weekend.

The live showcasing event will take place Saturday at ASU Stadium featuring marching bands and dance teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The preshow will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the battle at noon.

The event, previously held in Atlanta, had been paused since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will mark the first time the event will be held on the campus of an HBCU.

In November, fans chose the five marching bands that will perform live at the 2023 Invitational showcase alongside the ASU’s Mighty Marching Hornets.

“I am proud of the special relationship Honda has with HBCUs,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda. “Born out of more than three decades of collaboration on programs that support and celebrate the dreams of HBCU students as the next generation of Black leaders, we continue to build on our relationship with HBCUs in new and meaningful ways. In 2023, we will take Honda Battle of the Bands to an HBCU campus and look forward to sharing our inspirational HBCU journey with loyal HBOB fans and society.”

The showcase will be hosted by ASU alum, comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley along with comedian and actress Loni Love. ASU alumnus and rapper 2 Chainz will perform during the halftime show.

“We are extremely excited that Alabama State University has been selected as the site for the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands,” said ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. “By bringing the popular event to the ASU campus, Honda has advanced and strengthened its longstanding support of the nation’s HBCUs. The ASU stadium will provide a perfect setting for the Honda Battle of the Bands; and I know that with the support of Hornet Nation, the City of Montgomery and HBOB fans, the event will be a great success.”

Officials say the program will also include pre-event activities in the city of Montgomery.

Tickets are available for purchase here. The event will be streamed online free of charge.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!