The sound of an HBCU marching band isn’t just heard; it is felt. It’s a rhythmic vibration that travels from the soles of your feet to the center of your chest, a cultural heartbeat that has echoed through football stadiums for decades. But on Jan. 24, that heartbeat is moving indoors, and the Queen City is bracing for the impact.

The upcoming Big HBCU Southern Classic is set to make its historic debut at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the first time, this massive "Battle of the Bands" showcase will transition from the wide-open expanse of outdoor stadiums to the high-voltage, intimate environment of a world-class arena.

For Alex Davis, the founder and executive producer of the event, the move to an indoor venue was a strategic play to elevate the experience. As a former drummer who played all four years at Johnson C. Smith University, Davis knows that the "boom" hits differently when it’s trapped between four walls. "In Charlotte, North Carolina, it could be snowing in January," Davis noted. "This is a more intimate feel. There’s no bad seats in the house... you can really feel the bands. You could be right there pretty much next to them."

The lineup for this year’s classic is a who’s who of marching band royalty. Highlighting the bill is the long-awaited reunion of the biggest HBCU powerhouses in North Carolina: North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University. The two rivals haven't shared a stage in Charlotte since Davis brought them together in 2015, and the "Top Dogs" of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) are expected to bring a level of competition that only a decade-long hiatus can brew.

Adding a different flavor to the mix is the arrival of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Alcorn State University is making its first trip to the event, bringing the aggressive, high-decibel "Mississippi style" that has made the SWAC a global phenomenon. "The SWAC is different," Davis explained. "They bring a different type of style... they’re more aggressive, like they play loud." Hampton University is also joining the roster, offering a chance for the audience to see a world-class program that doesn't always get the same level of regional exposure.

While the "bragging rights" on the floor are the main draw, the event’s true mission is rooted in the future. The classic will feature a massive Fan Fest with over 30 vendors and recruiters on-site to meet with high school students. For Davis, the event is a way to address the lack of funding for music programs and to show the next generation that the band is more than just halftime entertainment. It’s also a pathway to higher education.

"Originally, I just wanted to get more students involved into wanting to be in a marching band," Davis said, reflecting on his own journey. "You learn a lot of life skills in a band. Teamwork, responsibility, accountability... those things that don't get taught in the home sometimes, now you learn that in the band."

The star power won't just be on the field. The event will be hosted by “The Breakfast Club” hosts DJ Envy and Loren LoRosa, with a special performance by R&B singer Sunshine Anderson. The connection is organic; Envy is a Hampton alum, LoRosa attended Delaware State, and Anderson is an alumna of North Carolina Central.

As Charlotte prepares to welcome tens of thousands of fans, the message from the organizers is clear: don't wait on the box office.