Getting to Know The Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Wildcard

Notable Rumble Wildcard alumn, Twin Berlin circa 2013 (image via Daykamp Music)

We are on day three of the 35th Annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble, after getting over that initial hump from the extended Night #1 with reception hour. WE MET ALL THE PEOPLE. WE ARE ALL FRIENDS NOW. MUSIC!

With every champion announced, there is an immediate “you should have won this man!” comment. But all is not lost. Enter stage left, The Wildcard.

Each night during the 6-session Preliminary Round, a set of five neutral judges diligently (and soberly) observe each set. Scores are added as a straight tally and what is called a high/low drop, which is dropping a judge’s highest score and lowest score.

When the Preliminary Round is over, there are six Semi-Finalists and two Wildcards.

The Rumble Semi-Finals span two days. Thursday, April 17th with winners from nights 4-6 along with the Wildcard band that was ranked highest out nights 1, 2 and 3. And Friday, April 18th with winners from nights 1-3 along with the Wildcard band that was ranked highest out of nights 4, 5 and 6.

Once again, the battles commence, resulting in two victorious bands progressing to the Rumble Finals on Friday, April 25th to contend with yet another Wildcard band that was ranked highest out of the remaining.

Notable recent Wildcard phoenix is Twin Berlin.

Got it? Cool. Head over to Ryan's Smashing Life to download your #RUMBLE35 bracket.