MASSENA — Tickets are on sale now for the fifth annual Music for Change Charity Fest to be held March 16 at the St. Lawrence Centre Arena.

St. Lawrence Centre Marketing Assistant Lindsey S. Breitbeck said this year’s show will include six competitors and seven bands, with local rock band Tyrade headlining the show and closing the evening.

Tyrade, a band that describes itself as “country metal,” has played with such groups as Godsmack, Popa Roach and the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

Ms. Breitbeck said that while the band will not compete, it will play a full set after each of the six competing bands has played its 20-minute sets.

“We’re lucky to have Tyrade playing at this year’s show,” she said. “They’ve played with some pretty big names.”

This year’s bands include Atomic Precipitation, Tree Humor, Into the Black, All the Fallen, Vicious Intent and a group that has yet to name itself.

Presale tickets are available for $8 at the mall’s customer service center and the arena box office and will soon be available at Northern Music & Video. Tickets will be available on the day of the show for $10, Ms. Breitbeck said.

“This year we’re doing something new, and if college students bring in a college ID, their tickets are $5,” she said.

She added it does not matter if students purchase their tickets in advance or at the door.

The six bands will compete for prizes that include a $100 mall gift card, two $50 Northern Music & Video gift certificates, a three-song demo recording session from North Country Public Radio and a ToneGen guitar tuner and tambourine donated by StarTech.

Prizes will be awarded for best overall band, best original song and honorable mention.

One band competing that night will also be invited back to perform at the mall’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

Ms. Breitbeck said bands will be judged on originality, creativity, sound quality and stage presence.

Also new this year will be the use of a sound meter to measure audience reaction.

A concession stand with soft drinks, snacks and glow sticks will be open during the battle and all proceeds from the evening will benefit Raquette Valley Habitat for Humanity.

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