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The Battle of the Bands, a remnant of last year’s Bumstock, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 8. The organization hosting the event, the Sophomore Owls Honor Society, is setting up the concert at Memorial Union. There will be five local bands battling, including Pushing Zero, Laetus, Roost, Duck and Cover and Jack’s Wild. Most of the bands are made up of students from the University of Maine.
According to Jay Brainard, the vice president of the Owls, the purpose of the event is to provide free entertainment for students.
“It is a good chance to hear some local music,” said Benjamin Hatt, a second-year mass communication major. The event also gives a chance for bands to show off their talent.
“I always look forward to Battle of the Bands,” said Alex Tuck, the frontman for Duck and Cover. He is excited to perform in the Union because the sound will be much better than past years at the Field House.
According to Brainard, “the event is a community service the Owls put on for the university,” Brainard said.
While Bumstock had low attendance in the past couple of years, finally resulting in its cancellation, Brainard hopes that this concert will attract a large crowd of 400 to 600 people.
During the battle, each band will have 25 minutes to play their songs. There will be two stages set up in the dining room of Memorial Union. When one band is playing on one stage, the next band can set up their musical equipment on the other stage and be ready for their performance right away. According to Brainard, the dual setting of the stages will make the event run more efficiently. “There will be constant music the whole time,” he said.
At the end of the battle, the crowd will vote for their favorite band. The best band will win a cash prize of $500. The prize money is coming from the Student Entertainment budget for The Frequency. There will also be giveaways, like gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. The prizes are sponsored by local businesses like Margaritas and Sears.
During the battle, there will be free food and drinks for the audience, including hot dogs, pizza and water. All students are welcome to the event. The show will start at 7:30 p.m. and end at 11:30 p.m. Students who are interested should contact John Brainard on First Class.
