Case Western Reserve University is brimming with more than just intellectual talent. Every year at springtime, the artists among us come out of the woodwork to show us their stuff. Springfest is here again, and the time has come to set the lineup for the event’s defining musical performance.
Battle of the Bands events have become a well-known topic of conversation in our 21st-century youth jargon. A healthy mix of fierce competition and deafening music—sometimes high-quality, often not—make this bloodless war something that all young Americans can get behind. We’ve seen them in some of our favorite—or not-so-favorite—movies, like School of Rock, Freaky Friday, and Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. Once again, CWRU is holding its own epic rock-off.
Jay Zhang and Mo Jaffery are in charge of this year’s Battle of the Bands competition. Per tradition, the event will be held in The Spot and will feature a face-off between performers hoping to open the show for currently unknown Springfest headliner. As concert co-chairs, Zhang and Jaffery must make sure the lineup for 2013 consists of the top talent at Case.
On Feb. 27, bands will each play a 45-minute set, showcasing the music they think will be most likely to get them on that Springfest stage. The result of the showdown will depend entirely upon audience reaction, unlike most BOTBs whose winners are determined by a panel of judges. “During battle of the bands, performers will give the audience the best they’ve got and winners of the competition are determined by an audience vote,” said Zhang.
As this is not the first time the Springfest committee has hosted the event, they have some idea of what to expect. Last year’s Battle of the Bands had an excellent turnout, and the co-chairs are planning for a similar crowd this year. “Each band had their friends present to support them, so The Spot was packed with student of all ages,” said Jaffery of his most recent BOTB experience.
“The winning band, Bacon on Tap, truly stole the show with the excellent vocals of Laine Seliga,” Jaffery explained. Dave Holcomb, Davis Wilkinson, and Ben Yabrow made up the rest of the triumphant group. Because of their win, Bacon on Tap had the opportunity to open for 2012 headliner, Tyga. Runner-up CWRU bands Stations, Radical Moderation, and two DJs rounded out the rest of the opening acts.
The Springfest concerts committee is currently accepting applicants to compete in the upcoming Battle of the Bands. In order to be considered, at least one member of the band must be a CWRU student. The group must also submit a full listing of their band members, a band biography of around 150 words, a band picture, and two full songs submitted in video format. They must also be available to perform on Feb. 27 and, if deemed winners, at Springfest on April 27. Five bands are already set to perform, but the concerts committee is still looking for more applicants.
Battle of the Bands will take the place of UPB’s weekly Wednesday Spot Night. But not to worry—one-dollar mystery beers and wings will still be in attendance.