LSU student bands competed this past Friday for a rare opportunity to perform as the opening act at the professional rock concert “Groovin’ on the Grounds.”
The annual “Battle of the Bands” event is a competition between five student bands. Each year, the winning band is awarded the opening spot at “Groovin’ on the Grounds.” The event began at 10:30 p.m. and ended at 1:30 a.m. the next morning.
Five student bands showcased their talents to compete for the opening spot. Each band was given 25 minutes to impress its audience and, more importantly, the judges. This year, the “Battle of the Bands” was the main attraction for LSU Late Night, which offered other activities for students, such as free bowling and billiards.
Kyle Wilkerson, ISDS senior and event coordinator, said there was a big difference in where the event took place from past years. Wilkerson said since the three-hour event took place during Late Night as opposed to a regular Friday or Saturday, more people could easily walk in and out to take breaks.
Wilkerson said other changes to “Battle of the Bands” made the event select the best band more accurately.
“In addition to judges, we had a decibel meter in the past,” Wilkerson said. “It became a contest of who could bring the most friends who could scream the loudest and longest.”
Wilkerson said eliminating the decibel meter this year is better because the crowd is open to all bands performing, instead of just their friends’ bands.
Billy Williams, a mechanical engineering senior, said he came to see the event to support a friend in the contest.
He said he also enjoyed the event as a spectator.
“It was a very diverse group of bands, a whole lot of different sounds, and they were gifted musicians,” Williams said. “Whatever musical style you would want to hear was there.”
Trevor Bates, bassist for the winning band, Kelvin, said he enjoyed his fourth time competing in the event.
Bates said Kelvin performed at festivals and venues for about four years, and enjoys the time the band spends together practicing.
“Every time I play with these guys we get together and practice as a unit,” Bates said. “I’ve learned all kinds of things playing with these guys.”
Bates said their invitation to open “Groovin’ in the Grounds” means a lot to him and his band.
“We’ll probably add some new material, and add other things to keep building on it,” Bates said.
Bates said the group vocalist, who is an LSU student, goes back to Natchitoches every other weekend so the group can practice together, but the driving distance between group members does not interfere with their practice time.
“We’re anxious to be a feature of Groovin’ on the Grounds,” Bates said. “We’re pretty excited, it’s pretty cool.”