The Road to Bonnaroo Passes Through 8 off 8th: Nashville

BMI's 8th off 8th showcase is a free weekly showcase held 9 p.m. every Monday at Nashville music venue Mercy Lounge (1 Cannery Row off 8th Avenue South).

Tonight, BMI, the Mercy Lounge, Bud Select and Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival have joined forces to present The Road to Bonnaroo, which will offer 24 up-and-coming bands the chance to vie for three slots at the 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival June 11-14 in Manchester, TN. Using three 8 off 8th shows at the Mercy Lounge March 23, April 20 and May 18, and featuring eight bands each night as the live-action litmus test, a combination of industry judges and audience participation will determine a winner each night. To select the evening’s top contender, an industry panel comprising local music journalists, bloggers, and 8 off 8th hosts will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan-voting through onsite ballots will determine the other half. The victors of all three 8 off 8th showdowns will perform at Bonnaroo.

Tonight's line-up include:

How I Became the Bomb

And the Relatives

Reno Bo

Those Darlins

KS Rhoades

Pico vs. Island Trees

Mike’s Pawn Shop

Protomen

AutoVaughn