Deni band Anagram Riot is one of seven entrants in the senior band category, with others hailing from Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
The Groovy Dudes will come up against two Griffith bands in the junior band category.
Four solo artists will make their way to Deniliquin from Sydney, Wollongong and even Tasmania to compete against hometown entrant Izzy Pearn.
Each Battle of the Bands finalist will perform on the Deni Festival Site’s B stage to keep the crowd warmed up between main stage artists.
Overall, winners in each category will receive cash prizes thanks to B Green Construction and Provincial Wealth, with the solo artist winner also receiving a $750 musical equipment voucher courtesy of Deniliquin Nextra.
The winner of the senior band competition will not only win $500 but also a slot on the main stage at the 2025 Play on the Plains Festival.
Festival general manager Vicky Lowry said the musicians benefit from performing with a full stage set up to an enthusiastic festival crowd.
They can also say they have played the same festival as some of Australia’s most popular artists.
Their sets will slot between performances by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Baker Boy, Northeast Party House, Alex Lahey, Kita Alexander and The Carp Factory.
“We have been overwhelmed with the talent of the Battle Of The Bands’ entrants and wish them the best of luck performing up on the main stage alongside some of Australia’s best artists,” Mrs Lowry said.
“Play on the Plains is proud to support regional festivals, catering for a younger audience through to families, bringing them all together to celebrate the love of music, friendship and fun.
“We invite more people to come and play and stay on the plains."
The final line-up sees 22 live performances over nine and a half hours.
Gates to the campsites will open at noon on March 9, with the festival area opening from 1pm with the first of the Battle of the Band entrants kicking off the music.
The night’s final act - King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - will take to the stage at 9.30pm after a fireworks spectacular.
The concert will conclude about 11pm.
There’ll also be licensed bars, food vans, beach volleyball and a silent disco.
Local bus company Dyson Group will be operating charter buses from various local regions, including Hay, Cobram, Strathmerton, Barooga, Tocumwal, Finley, Blightly, Koondrok, Barham, Wakool, Kialla, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Kyabram, Yarrawonga and Mulwala.
There will also be shuttle buses to and from various locations around the Deniliquin Town Centre. Bookings can be made through Oztix.
The event will be entirely cashless, with RFID wristbands and top-up stations on site and the opportunity for online top-ups before the event.
Once the festival is over, attendees can retrieve their unused funds online.
Tickets and campsite bookings for Play on the Plains 2024 are also available from Oztix.
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