The stage is set for four local bands to vie for the spot as champion at Band Together NC’s fourth annual philanthropic musical showdown known as “Last Band Standing.” Taking place on Saturday, March 1, at Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh, the event aims to raise proceeds to support Band Together’s 2014 nonprofit partners, Communities In Schools of Wake County and Communities In Schools of Durham.

Band Together’s biggest rock battle to date will include top-notch North Carolina bands Big Daddy Love, Jack the Radio, Onward, Soliders and The Morning After, all who will be competing for $3,000 in cash prizes and a coveted opening slot for the headlining band at Band Together’s annual spring concert event.

“The excitement and passion each of these talented acts brings is evident as this event nears,” said Matt Strickland, executive director of Band Together NC. “We are so proud to share the very best of North Carolina’s music with our community and are grateful to be able to help elevate such a worthy cause in our partnership with Communities In Schools through this event.”

Each of the competing bands will perform a 30-to-40-minute set with a panel of four judges choosing the winner. Audience voting will help decide the winner in the event of a tie among the judges. This year’s judges include Chris Malarkey, of Lincoln Theatre; Sara Waters, Coordinator for Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival; Taylor Traversari, of Ret Hat Amphitheater; and David Shaw, of Yep Roc Music Group. Bands also have an opportunity to score an additional $500 through an online voting contest February 17-28, hosted on Facebook through Band Together’s media partnership with WNCN.

Tickets are $12 in advance/$15 day of the show for general admission and $75 for VIP (includes dinner and drinks) and can be purchased online at etix. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m.

Band Together’s 2013 concert event held at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre raised more than $860,000 for Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities (TLC). Proceeds went toward expanding services at TLC and improving the lives of the nearly 400 families TLC serves. The concert was headlined by Lyle Lovett along with supporting local acts Delta Rae, Chatham County Line and 2013 Last Band Standing winner Mac and Juice Quartet. This year, Band Together hopes to raise more than $1 million for the Band Together/Communities In Schools partnership.

For more information about Band Together, visit www.bandtogethernc.org, become a fan on Facebook, join their LinkedIn group or follow @bandtogethernc on Twitter.