HOUSTON – Houston, clear your calendars: from Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) is taking over NRG Stadium and surrounding venues.
While the weekend is packed with experiences, the main event, the Battle of the Bands, hits the field on Saturday, August 23, with doors opening at 3:00 p.m. and showtime at 4:30 p.m.
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Taking the field for Houston that day is the “Ocean of Soul” from Texas Southern University (TSU) and they’re bringing more than just music. They’re bringing tradition, purpose, and a little bit of star power.
After all, this isn’t just any HBCU band. TSU’s Ocean of Soul once marched alongside Beyoncé during last year’s NFL Christmas Gameday Live halftime show on Netflix. Now, they’re back on their home turf, ready to remind the world that Houston knows how to put on a show.
“This is 22’s last year, so we’re coming out with a bang. Get ready to get destroyed,” said Sharish Jones, the Ocean of Soul’s piccolo section leader, laughing as she explained how her senior year feels both bittersweet and unstoppable.
Jones has been with the band since her freshman year and worked her way up to lead the piccolo section — a big deal in the world of HBCU show-style marching bands. “Woodwinds are important in this type of band,” she added proudly.
For Kevin Smith, one of the Ocean of Soul’s drum majors, the moment is just as personal. Now in his fourth year, Smith says his class came in with a “go-get-it mentality” and hasn’t slowed down since. The Ocean has swelled to nearly 200 members strong, and he says that growth has only made them hungrier.
“I really can’t tell you what we’re bringing… you just better hope you’re ready,” Smith teased.
And ready you should be.
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The 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands isn’t just a competition — it’s one of the biggest showcases of HBCU culture in the country. Eight powerhouse bands, from Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South to Prairie View A&M’s Marching Storm, will take the field on Saturday, August 23 at NRG Stadium.
This year’s lineup includes:
- Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon & White | Playing to the East
- Albany State University – Marching Rams Show Band | Playing to the East
- Florida A&M University – Marching “100” | Playing to the West
- Jackson State University – Sonic Boom of the South | Playing to the East
- Langston University – Marching Pride Band | Playing to the West
- North Carolina A&T State University – Blue & Gold Marching Machine | Playing to the West
- Prairie View A&M University – Marching Storm | Playing to the West
- Texas Southern University – Ocean of Soul | Playing to the East
But the Ocean of Soul says this year’s performance will carry an even deeper meaning.
“This weekend we’re gonna pay tribute to the lives lost in Kerr County during the flood on the 4th of July,” said Brian Simmons, TSU’s Ocean of Soul Band Director. “It’s something that’s near and dear to my heart…We need to talk about some important things. We need to honor those that don’t have a voice at this moment.”
Simmons told KPRC 2’s Zorrie Jones that this wasn’t just an artistic choice — it was a responsibility. “Music is a great avenue for that, band is a great avenue. I find it disappointing when we don’t acknowledge the things that have happened,” he said. “How do we have an event in Houston, Texas and we don’t honor Texans who we’ve lost just on the 4th of July? So it was less of something I wanted to do. It was something I had to do. And it’s the right thing to do.”
NBOTB weekend isn’t just about the bands — it’s packed with FREE experiences for the whole community:
- Emerging Experience Entrepreneur Conference – Friday, August 22, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at The Deluxe Theater. This event connects innovators and small business leaders.
- NBOTB Cares Community Outreach – Saturday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. Giving back through initiatives like feeding the homeless and youth engagement.
Also on Saturday, August 23, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. at NRG Center, a community-focused event called Fan Experience will take place, offered at no cost and featuring:
- The Pepsi Experience: Live performances, entertainment, and a vendor marketplace.
- HBCU College & Career Fair: Connect with HBCUs and career opportunities through on-site reps and admissions info.
- Stroll Off Competition: Celebrate step and stroll culture and Black Greek Letter Organizations.
READ: The sound, soul, and spirit return to Houston for the 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands
“NBOTB is more than a performance,” said event producer Derek Webber. “It’s a movement that celebrates tradition, talent, and the cultural impact of HBCUs across the country.”
Tickets start at just $25, but if you ask any of the band members, they might say the real price is bragging rights. Get your tickets here.
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