THE VALLEY ROCKS. Two Chippewa Valley youth bands – 30 Minute Difference (left) and Resonate (right) – made the final cut for this year's Rockonsin competition and will perform at Summerfest. (Photos via Facebook, Instagram)

Two local bands are gearing up to perform at this year's Summerfest as part of the 19th Rockonsin battle-of-the-bands-style competition. Slated for June 23-24, ten garage bands from Wisconsin high schools and middle schools will go head-to-head, each vying for the winning prize: professional recording sessions at Madison's Blast House Studios. 

Youth bands from Ashland to Muskego and Waukesha to Milwaukee made the ultimate cut, two bands from the Eau Claire Messiah Lutheran School and Chippewa Falls Middle and High Schools were part of the finalists. 56 submissions were made to this year's Rockonsin competition, and a panel of judges including Cathy Dethmers, Rob DZ (Rob Franklin), and Borna Velic, made the final decision.

The local bands with open and close the second day of Rockonsin performers at Summerfest.

Chippewa Falls rock band, 30 Minute Difference, will perform on the Generac Stage on June 24 from 12:10-12:30pm. The band is made up of sibling duos Jaydin and Jerney Joles and Caleb and Lizzy Dallas.

A mash-up of five students – Lydia and Madi Rassier, Jaden and Micah Uttecht, and Cali Bauer – from the Chippewa Falls Middle and High Schools and the Eau Claire Messiah Lutheran School, form the rock band, Resonate, and will close out the Rockonsin performances in the 2:10-2:30pm slot. 

Each of the finalists will perform 20-minute showcases and be evaluated by a different set of three music industry judges for the State Finals, judged on: expression/creativity/technique, rhythm/vocals, primary beats/blend/time, synergy, and a summary of each musician knowing their role and jelling together as one. Each band will receive a private verbal critique from one judge.

The final two bands will each perform a second, prize-winning 40-minute showcase gig at The Big Gig on the US Cellular Connection Stage on July 7 at 12:45pm and 1:35pm. 

The winner of Rockonsin will earn 12 hours of professional recording time, and the runner-up earning 8 hours. Each of the 10 finalists will receive two Shure microphones (one vocal, one instrument with cords), while the winning band will also receive a Shure wireless vocal microphone system.

The winners will be announced on Saturday, June 24, at 6pm through Rockonsin's various social channels (@rockonsin). 

Keep up with Rockonsin on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Learn more about the organization on the Rockonsin website. Check out the two local bands who will be competing, 30 Minute Difference and Resonate.