Battle of the Bands at Rhode Island College to Spotlight Local Music Scene

By Paige Martins

Providence’s younger music crowd has long shown up to champion local indie talent – and one college organization is making sure that scene continues to thrive. At Rhode Island College, student-run radio station 90.7 WXIN has made it its mission to spotlight emerging artists through a series of monthly live events that span genres and styles. The station music directors pull in all kinds of music, from heavy metal to dance jam to soul – there is certainly a genre for every ear!

The Rock Hunt, ‘XIN’s biggest event in 2026, happening on the first three Fridays in April. Here, eight bands compete at RIC’s Beestro Cafe for a chance at their spot in the finale and a possible cash prize for finishing in first and second place. The winners are decided by audience participation – after the first four bands play on night one and the next four play on night two, the audience uses their tickets to vote on which two they believe earned a spot to play during the coveted night three. 

This year, WXIN student-elected president Tess Sullivan decided to connect the event to a local charity, Day One RI, an organization that provides trauma-informed services to victims of abuse within our community. On April 17, the final night of the battle at Fete lounge, there will be a raffle held to win WXIN merchandise, with all proceeds going to Day One RI.  

WXIN strives to support local bands and music, creating a sense of community and giving back in all the ways they can. Bands have already been selected, so head to WXIN’s Instagram to see who’s competing. The first two shows, on April 3 and April 10 at 7pm, will be hend at RIC’s Beestro Cafe; the third, April 17, at Fete lounge. The shows are open to the public. For more information, check Instagram @ricradio or www.ricradio.org