The Battle of the Bands at Humble Heart Thrift Store in Ocean Beach will run through February.

Music in general, guitars in particular, have always been an essential part of Humble Heart’s retail mix at 4873 Newport Ave. But in November of 2022, the hybrid store that sells guitars and accessories took things one step further by adding live music entertainment to its retail mix.

The move has been a real game changer for Humble Heart, and the upcoming Battle of the Bands being held there is a clear-cut example of that.

“We didn’t expect such a huge response,” admitted store owner Christina Riley about soliciting local bands to compete in the band competition. “We were going to do 15 bands and we had 87 entries. And they kept rolling in, even after the deadline.”

Riley said the competition will be held every Saturday night in February at Humble Heart, with the field of competitors now narrowed down from 87 to 21 contestants. “We’ll be doing seven bands per night each of those three nights, with one wild card, and then we’ll be doing online polling (to determine winners) and the finals will be on Feb. 24,” she said. “The winners are picked by our panel of judges, with two bands per night moving to the finals.  An online poll will determine the seventh band to participate in the finals.”

Riley noted there will be some “amazing” prizes for top winners in the best bands competition adding one of those will be a “whole day’s worth” of recording time along with a “year’s worth of guitar strings” from Stringjoy for every band member. Contest sponsors are Studio West, Stringjoy, Ernie Ball (musician prize pack) and C&G Guitars (guitar) .

“We’re also doing cash prizes for the top three winners,” added Riley.

Since getting its permit, Humble Heart has held weekly live music in the evenings featuring a wide variety of not only local but international bands including some from Canada, Singapore, and even Japan, as well as bands nationwide.

Humble Heart got drawn into the music business slowly, at first just selling guitars and other instruments, which soon became a draw for area musicians. “There was a need for it,” noted Riley adding, “We just kind of inherited it (live shows) and we came up with a formula for doing a door split with the bands. It just kind of went crazy (after that). There was such a need for an all-ages (live music) venue in our area.”

Humble Heart also participated in the initial “Night Out On Newport” fundraiser in the 4800 block of Newport Avenue on May 4 of last year. That event benefited music programs at Correia Middle and Point Loma High.

Plans are for the Battle of the Bands to become an annual signature OB event.

“It’s a lot of work but it’s been rewarding helping so many bands who’ve come to us to expand and grow,” Riley said.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Tickets: Pre-sale tickets are $8, or $10 the day of the event.

Información: theheartob.com.