As the clock strikes six, the audience is instantly captivated by a vocalist’s booming voice erupting through the speakers. The instrumental music department hosted its sixth annual Battle of the Rock Bands on Oct. 24 under an inflatable amphitheater in the campus quad. Bands showcased their musical chemistry and stage presence through various crowd interactions, which created a more audience-driven atmosphere that set this year’s event apart from previous years.
Channeling an Osbourne-reminiscent growl, Michael Ruiz of Arnold County/Dance Club kicked off the night with an introduction spotlighting both the setlist and the artists. The band’s high-energy renditions of The Strokes’ “Last Nite” and Green Day’s “Basket Case” set the tone of the event, creating a seamless segue into the other bands’ performances. Subsequent bands, Oleja and Synapsis, shifted the atmosphere with sets that balanced hyper-energetic songs with moments of melancholic introspection, performing songs like “Meant to Live” by Switchfoot and “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls. Live events like this provide students with a way to relieve academic stress, according to department director Kyle Traska.
“Live music is important because it’s a place to jump up and down, to scream and to let out some of that teenage energy,” Traska said. “It’s a very healthy way to get that kind of emotion going.”
The Timeline, Infrared, BC/CW and Extinction Protocol kept the momentum forward with unpredictable sets that kept audience members on their toes. The event drew to a close with performances by Supernova, Ultraviolet and Ohms, each delivering high-energy performances that kept the crowd entertained until the very end.
Though the performers were focused on hitting the right notes and singing the right pitch, keeping the crowds entertained and energized was the night’s primary focus. Bands used different gimmicks to engage with the audience, from having audience members tell jokes to tossing miniature dinosaurs into the crowd. Each interaction created a deeper connection with audience members and performers, according to Extinction Protocol drummer and sophomore Dylan Castro.
“Our singer Derek came up with the idea to get the crowd hyped and make sure that [they’re] included in our band,” Castro said. “You don’t want the audience to feel like they’re just watching you. You want them to feel like they’re included, like they’re a part of the band.”
While all bands demonstrated talent and dedication in their performances, Oleja was crowned the ultimate champion among the ten competing bands through a popular vote conducted on Instagram.
“I stayed up until 11:40 because Mr. Traska would not put up the winners at 11:30, even though that’s when it was supposed to end,” Oleja vocalist and sophomore Leia Speir said. “We get our band name on a golden guitar in Room 301, our band name goes on one of the frets.”
