SCAL Crowned Winner of Battle of the Sounds 2026 After Spectacular 10-Act Showdown
Following a spectacular day of live music and fierce competition on Saturday, July 11th, SCAL has officially been named the overall winner of the Battle of the Sounds 2026.
The grand finale saw 10 of the region’s most talented young finalists—spanning an incredible mix of solo artists, duos, and bands—take to the stage in a high-stakes musical showcase live on the Bray Seafront Bandstand. After a series of jaw-dropping performances, an enthusiastic public vote, and intense deliberation from an expert panel of music industry professionals, SCAL emerged victorious to claim the ultimate title. The winning duo is made up of 17-year-olds Ewan MacAdam and James O’Farrell.
This isn’t just a showcase; it’s a career-launching opportunity. For winning the competition, SCAL walks away with an enviable package of incredible prizes designed to elevate their musical journey:
- The Headline Slot: A coveted live performance headlining Worldfest—a brand-new weekend built entirely around music, food, and wellness. SCAL will take the stage live on the bandstand on Sunday, 26th July.
- A Recording Session: Professional studio time in the renowned Camden Recording Studios.
- The Gear: A premium equipment voucher from Everest Music to upgrade their musical setup.
- The Live Gig: A future gig slot at the legendary venue, The Harbour Bar.
- The Exposure: Alongside the ultimate win, finalists will have their tracks featured on the official #SummerInBray Spotify playlist.
The atmosphere throughout the showcase was electric, highlighting the phenomenal depth and diversity of the emerging music scene. While the competition was incredibly tight across every genre, SCAL’s standout performance ultimately captured the hearts of the voters and earned the judges’ praise.
The Grand Final, on Bray’s iconic Bandstand, was a massive success, and it proves that the next generation of musical talent is ready to take over the main stage,” said Kathy O’Toole, event organiser. “Every single one of the 10 finalists brought pure passion, talent, and phenomenal energy to the stage. It made the judges’ final decision incredibly difficult, but it proves that the future of the music scene here is brighter than ever. Huge congratulations to SCAL—they put on a great performance, and we look forward to seeing them again at Worldfest on Sunday, July 26th”.
The 2026 Battle of the Sounds Finalists
A total of 10 outstanding acts qualified for the grand final. In alphabetical order, the competing talent included:
- Alex McClean – Solo Artist
- Back Seat Drivers – Band
- Cedalia – Band
- Compass – Band
- Elsa Jane – Solo Artist
- Josh Cunningham – Solo Artist
- Lauren Coffey – Solo Artist
- Scal – Duo (Winner)
- Silverspoon – Band
- The Only Ones – Duo
The Competition Timeline
The journey to the main stage followed a clear path this summer for the competing acts:
- Applications Open: Monday, 18th May 2026
- Applications Close: Sunday, 15th June 2026
- Live Semi-Final Auditions: Week 22nd – 28th June on the Backstage@duffs
- The Grand Final: Saturday, 11th July 2026 on the Bray Seafront Bandstand
About the Event Partners
Battle of the Sounds 2026 is presented as part of the #SummerInBray festival programme, in association with Bray and District Chamber of Commerce, The Martello, and Everest Music.
The #SummerinBray campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Bray and District Chamber of Commerce, Bray Municipal District, Wicklow County Council and bray.ie.
Introducing Worldfest 2026
Worldfest is the brand-new pulse of the #SummerInBray season, taking over the promenade on Saturday, 25th and Sunday, 26th of July.
This curated weekend brings a fresh, global energy to the seafront, focusing entirely on Music, Food, and Wellness. Attendees can explore international street food at the Promenade Market, dance to raw global rhythms from live performers, and find total balance with beachfront wellness, alongside the essential thrills of the Seafront Funfair.
Read more at https://bray.ie/worldfest2026/