That's great, Ian! Best of luck to you and your friend! Are you looking for a name for the event or for your company? Either way, consider using local verbiage /slogans/catch-phrases in the names. For example, Denver is coined "The Mile High City" and some friends started 5280 Records (5,280 feet in a mile). Another example, Texas is "The Lone Star State" and there are umpteen ways to use that and still stand out amongst the crowd. In Michigan, there are several symbols and words that identify with the region that are used in company names or for events. So perhaps there is something similar in your area - every city has it's "identifiers" and using one of them will help establish your role as being a part of the grassroots local scene (instead of, like, MegaCorp5000Xtreme!) and doesn't limit you to a genre (like Grim&FrostbittenDemonicEvilProductions features Country Night!)
Another idea is to name the event after it's main purpose, or sometimes to create a focus. For instance, in a battle of the bands there is no "headliner" so you could use the venue name/slogan in the event title or use something relating to the prize (i.e. - if the prize is studio time, use words relating to the recording process) Or if you want to make it real easy, make sure to have a headliner band that is already popular/established in the area and who will not be competing, just performing, and have them present a prize "from them" to the winner. This gets you a crowd, a main focus, a "hype" and therefore you can clearly name it with anything relating to the band, the prize, the venue, or even the day of the week. ("Band X's Friday the 13th Battle of the Bands!".. "Company Z's Don't Stay Home Alone Valentine's Day Massacre!")
Okay, so I'm not putting much thought into these names, but you get my point. Just some things to consider and hopefully it helps you get some really good ideas! For my first show, I was part of a nation-wide company called Rock The Madhouse so I named my first show "The RTM Metal Showcase". It's something basic but focused on the company name (since part of the focus is to establish credibility on the RTM name so people will trust that future RTM events will be ROCKIN'!). So whatever the case, you always want to make sure that people know that YOU (your company) is putting on the show, so use your name as often as possible, put it on all the fliers, make some business cards, and choose your logo wisely because you'll be using it all the time before you know it!
Good luck Ian! I'll mull-over some ideas and if I think of anything I'll post it here! You rock!
