48 Hr Band Challenge

Your hosts: “Punk-Rock” Tom Heffernan & Cara Lucille

“Punk-Rock” Tom Heffernan, musician, songwriter, producer, activist…and co-host of the 48 Hr Band Challenge.

Cara Lucille, musician, songwriter, nurse, and co-host of the 48 Hr Band Challenge (a 2022 winner).

The 48 Hr Band Challenge is one of MOMF’s most exciting events.

Throw your name in the hat and join the Minnesota Original Music Festival’s “48 Hour Band Challenge!”
48 hours to form a new band with people you just met, put it together, and compete for clout and prizes and a chance to open the second day of the festival! More information and sign up now at www.mnomf.com/challenge-2

How it works: 1) Signup…you will find the signup further down this page. 2) Bring your instrument to the 48 Hr Band Challenge Draft, Wednesday, July 17, 5:00 pm, Paddlefish Brewing, Saint Peter, MN. 3) Check-in with Tom and/or Cara when you arrive at Paddlefish…(please try not to be late). 4) Get randomly placed with other musicians to form a band: the Draft is where bands are created (we try not to match musicians that regularly perform together). 5) Get the rules: Tom & Cara will lead you through a process, explain rules, answer questions, solve problems. 6) Go to work: develop a work schedule that works for your band and practice. 7) Perform: 48 Hr Band Challenge Contest, Friday, July 19, 6:00 pm, Patrick’s on Third, Saint Peter, MN, for a group of judges…new this year, the audience will be one of the judges…so bring friends.

There will be a number of contest categories, e.g. best instrumentalist, best vocalist, best original song, etc. The group that is selected as the best overall will be asked to perform on the KMSU Main Stage, Sunday, July 21 (there is a small monetary stipend involved). There will be trophies, prizes of various kinds and lots of fun. The goal of this event is to provide opportunities for musicians of various skill levels to meet, network, share, and learn from each other, please remember this is intended to be fun, it is a contest, but not to be taken too seriously, it’s value lies in the experience and not in winning.

The band, Yellow Tape, performing at the 2023, 48 Hr Band Challenge, Patrick’s on Third, Saint Peter, MN.


Early Signup is Closed: If you are interested in participating in this year’s event, DON’T WORRY, we have reserved 9 slots that will be available on Draft Day, Wednesday, July 17, Paddlefish Brewing, Saint Peter, MN. We currently have 31 musicians signed up to participate in this year’s event, our limit is 40 contestants. It’s also possible someone doesn’t show up. YOU MUST ATTEND the Wednesday Band Draft event at Paddlefish Brewing to participate. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 48hr@mnomf.org.

This year’s 48 Hr Band Challenge Draft will be held at Saint Peter’s very own Paddlefish Brewing. The draft is currently scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, July 17, check HERE or on our Facebook page for updates. This is where we draft players into competitive bands for the event, [You Must Attend The Draft To Be In The 48 Hr Band Challenge].

Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S Minnesota Ave, St Peter, MN, Draft event location.

Our 48 Hr Band Challenge contest will be at Patrick’s on Third, one of Saint Peter’s iconic establishments. 48 Hr Band Challenge bands will create an original song and perform two covers, details are being worked on now. The event is scheduled for Friday, July 19, 2024 starting 6:00 pm. This is where bands battle it out for a range of prizes. The best over all band gets to open MOMFest Sunday concert on the KMSU Main Stage in MN Square Park!

Patrick’s on Third, 125 S 3rd St, Saint Peter, MN, Contest event location.

Other Notes:

All contestants must be 18 years of age or older.

Please check our Facebook page or this page for updates!

All contestants must attend the MOMFest 48 Hr Band Challenge Draft, Wednesday, July 17th, at Paddlefish Brewing, starting at 5:00 pm.

Contestant bands will have 20 minutes including setup and tear down. We plan to provide a drum kit, keyboard & amps for the contest.

Plan to stick around Patrick’s after the contest, we plan to have an open stage event after hosted by local artist, Farmer Josh Reinitz.