The search has begun for the best band in Happy Valley. 

Penn State’s Movin On’ announced that applications for the annual Battle of the Bands competition will open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 25. The battle is an opportunity for students to show off their musical talents and rally the crowds of Dear Old State at this year’s Movin On’ festival. 

One member of each band must be a student at Penn State to enter, and eight groups will be selected from the application pool to compete in this year’s battle. The winner will then earn the honor of performing as the opening act for Movin On’, which is slated for Friday, April 26, at the IM Fields. 

Last year, Mellow Honey took home first prize and opened the festival ahead of J.I.D. and Neon Trees at Movin On’ 2023. Previous winners have opened for other distinct acts such as Jack Harlow, Wiz Khalifa, and Fall Out Boy.

Applications will close at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 8. The lineup for this year’s performance has not been released yet, and more information can be found on Movin On’s website and Instagram.