Taking place just three weeks before Grand Nationals, the Indianapolis Super Regional typically gives us a preview of what to expect at the upcoming national championships, but this year many of the top groups heading to the super regional, won’t be attending Grand Nats. That could create some interesting results as we see bands that are wrapping up their season compete against bands that are planning for three more weeks of growth.

Need a refresher on the competitive format for the upcoming Super Regionals? Check out our Cheat Sheet!

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Champion contenders

Avon and Carmel are the top two bands in Indiana and have consistently been among the top bands at Grand Nats for decades. These two have won a combined 8 national championships, in addition to every single Indianapolis Super Regional, and numerous other regionals as far south as San Antonio and as far west as Los Angeles. So far this season, Avon has had a slight upper hand in local competitions, but historically, we’ve seen these two bands swap placements frequently from week to week and even between rounds at the same competition.

Blue Springs has a history of getting close to messing up those Indiana records, at least in prelims competition. They finished above Avon in national prelims in 2018 and finished above Carmel in prelims at the Indy Super in 2016. In both of those seasons, they also placed second behind Broken Arrow at St. Louis just like they did last week.

Friday night Indiana elites

There are numerous other Indiana bands in attendance including Castle, Center Grove, Fishers, Homestead, and Lawrence Township. Each of the groups are returning super regional finalists and are shows that you can’t miss. They also are all performing Friday afternoon and evening, alongside dozens of other local or semi-local Indiana bands. If you forget that this is a two-day super regional and don’t tune in until Saturday, you will be severely missing out.

Muncie competitors

Along with Fishers, Centerville and Lincoln-Way competed at the Muncie Regional a few weeks back, earning each of the top three spots. These groups may be under-the-radar to some, but they’re certainly not ones you want to miss, especially the Centerville Jazz Bands’ crowd favorite shows that sound like no other band.

Other top challengers

O’Fallon Township and Marian Catholic are two of the top groups in Illinois and will both be looking to make a bold statement at this super regional. This will be O’Fallon’s final competition of the season, opting not to return to grand nationals in the year following their first national finals appearance. North Hardin, from Kentucky, will also be looking to continue making strides this year and earn a spot as a super regional finalist

Check out our super fan guide to take a closer look at some additional top competitors in using Brownsburg, Lakota East, Plainfield, Lockport Township, Blue Springs South, Mustang, and Ben Davis.