Brandywine Heights Community Task Force sponsored the third annual Battle of the Bands at Brandywine Heights High School on Sept. 16.
Each year, this fun-filled gathering features food, games, and, most importantly, music performed by a large group of performers of all ages. The diversity of the performances lent a special energy to the show that only a dedication to the arts can bring to a community.
The number of fans that showed up for each band was considerable in terms of crowd size, and with the estimated number of people by the end of the show reaching nearly 500, Battle of the Bands was a huge success.
Some outstanding performers from the local area donated not only their time, but their talent as well. Although two local bands did not enter the formal competition, The Hannah Violet Trio provided the crowd with a country set, and Junior’s Grades performed an outstanding rock set. Even the winner of last year’s Battle of the Bands winner, Kayla Avitabile, closed the show with her amazing talent.
The Battle began as Annie Falls performed followed by Kyle Perri, Julius, Long Stay, The Off Switch, Karisa Hope, The BAND-its, Lies Behind Us, Abby Craft and Ethan Strause, and finally, Sixty 30. All of these bands gave outstanding performances and gave the judges a run for their money in determining the winner.
The Brandywine Heights Task Force selected BAND-its, made up of 7th and 8th grade young men, as its choice for top band and awarded them the $150 prize. When interviewed, BAND-its expressed their enthusiasm of Battle of the Bands, “Battle of the Bands means the world to us, and we killed it!” said one band member.
After a hard battle between many bands, Long Stay of Ohio took home the grand prize as decided by a panel of judges. Their incorporation of different original music got people on their feet and earned them a prize of $350. The winners, excited over their win, stated, “This means a lot. It was a big deal to us. We thought we were up against some really tough competition. And, without a doubt, we were! It’s such a great honor with or without the win. It was such an amazing experience!”
Many people who attended Battle of the Bands as well as most performers were impressed by the other competition. One member of the headliners, Phil Philorz of the Hannah Violet Trio, stated, “It’s really inspiring so many young bands come together and perform original music.”
Not only was there the headlining music competitions, but the event featured a car and motorcycle competition as well. Brain Bauma, a local of the area, won the motorcycle competition with his 2000 softail custom Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Of his win, Bauman, a Brandywine Heights High School alumni, said, “It was nice to win the trophy after all the time and money that has been put into the bikes.”
The Third Annual Battle of the Bands concluded with many happy people leaving and looking forward to next year’s event!
