Sixteen bands will enter. One band will leave.

It’s the basic premise of The Battle of the Bandstand, a concert extravaganza expected to draw as many as 600 guests to Turlock’s Grizzly Rock Cafe this weekend.

“We're going to have a lot of local acts, not only from Turlock and Modesto, but some from the Bay Area as well, and up north in Sacramento,” said KCSS Promotions Director Clay Hobbs. “They're all very well known; they have great followings.”

A production of KCSS 91.9 FM, the student radio station at California State University, Stanislaus, The Battle of the Bandstand looks to build on the success of last year’s One Night Bandstand. That event also drew about 600 guests to watch three stages of diverse music.

“I think it'll be bigger than last year because it just has more of a reputation,” Hobbs said. “Last year's was the very first one, hopefully people are like, ‘I can't wait for the next one.’”

To make this year’s Bandstand bigger than the last, organizers incorporated a battle of the bands into the proceedings. Each attendee will have one vote for the best of the best.

Originally, the winner was to earn a performance slot at CSU Stanislaus’ annual Warrior Day festival. Many students were disappointed with the musicians hired for past Warrior Days, Hobbs said, who while famous were seldom noted for their musical ability. Instead, planners wanted to reward a talented, yet unknown band.

“We thought it would be a great way to help a local artist,” Hobbs said.

Warrior Day’s cancellation and subsequent reinstatement has the performance benefit in question. Hobbs said CSU Stanislaus Associated Students Inc. is still considering using the Bandstand winner for the new Warrior Day, but that a number of proposals are on the table.

The winner will, however receive valuable publicity from KCSS, both on-air and through a video interview.

Winning will be no small task with notable local acts like French Cassettes, True Mad North, and Cave Women participating. One band, Not an Airplane, recently received a positive review in Rolling Stone magazine.

Despite the caliber of the competing bands, getting in to watch the Battle of the Bandstand will be easy. All ages are welcome, no tickets are needed, and no cover will be charged.

“It’s absolutely free,” Hobbs said.

Battle of the Bandstand will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at Turlock’s Grizzly Rock Cafe, 4905 N. Golden State Blvd.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KCSSTurlock