Flashing lights, moshing crowds and rocking bands flooded Anderson Hall, Monday, May 19, with the school’s annual Battle of the Bands (BOTB).
“The atmosphere was very energetic and exciting,” junior Noah Dela Cruz said. “There were a lot more people than I expected and people were up and moving.”
BOTB is a yearly event held by the school where student-led bands get to showcase their talents, for their peers. After each band performed, the audience of students, parents and teachers got to vote for their favorite group to win the musical battle.
“My experience at BOTB was honestly just fun,” Dela Cruz said. “I enjoyed playing in front of everyone and also seeing the other bands who played.”
This year’s BOTB had six bands performing, with 15 minute slots each. The bands included Infrared, Gatorball, Interia, The Chimp Pimps, Slipmastablinknotallicadon-182 and School of Rock. This was each of the bands debut at the event as well, with the groups from last year not returning to play.
“I think my favorite part was the crowd and people standing around me,” junior Sara Heffernan said. “During, multiple bands pits were started and everyone was respectful and made it super fun.”
At BOTB, students create a mosh pit in the middle of Anderson Hall. Embracing the music and culture they party to their peers for the roughly one and a half hours that it lasts. Most of the bands played some form of heavy metal or nu metal, intensifying the rocking atmosphere.
“Last year, BOTB both didn’t have as many people or bands, and the overall energy was not that strong,” Heffernan said. “Compared to last year, this BOTB was completely different in a good way.”
As the event has grown in popularity over the past few years, BOTB has gained a crowd. With more students and bands participating, it was a night to remember for the audience.
“I thought it was really fun, and the music was good,” Heffernan said. “The crowd was also participating and it made the experience even better. It was inviting and everyone was there for the same reason so it was super easy to talk to anyone there.”
