Yesterday, March 3 was Battle of the Bands at Timpview and it was so sick to see all the raw talent at the school. I had the pleasure of watching five great bands (and some solo acts) perform, but I definitely had my favorites. While I won’t claim to be a seasoned music journalist, I’ve had my fair share of experiences in the local music scene. For the last 2 years, I’ve been running concerts alongside some friends up at The Water Towers and some parks. I also have been capturing performances as a photographer for a couple of years now. So while I might not be an industry expert, I know a thing or two about music. While I missed the first band, Past Writings, I was there for the rest of the show.
Lady Macbeth: I showed up a couple of seconds late to Macbeth’s performance, so I missed part of the first song, but what I did watch was impressive. They played 1 original song accompanied by “Just a Girl” by No Doubt as their second track. I found their instrumentals to be impressive. Something that stood out to me was how the crowd was singing along and joining in for “Just a Girl.” It’s always a great sign to have the audience interact with your performance so heavily. However, I wish the band had a bit of a bigger and grander stage presence. They definitely set a solid tone for the afternoon, though later performances brought a different kind of energy that stuck with me.
Regulators: The Regulators kicked off their set with an amazing first song, but it was their second song that stood out to me. They had funky rhythmic energy that brought a unique vibe to the stage. It wasn’t overly polished, but it had a Johnny Cash-style grit that made the performance more engaging. From what I heard, they’re a newer band, so I would imagine they’re still trying to define their sound. But, for the short time they’ve been playing, they delivered a great performance that showed potential.
The Lipps: The Lipps definitely brought some great energy to the stage. I found that their sound felt a bit more atmospheric compared to the other bands. They had a really great balance across all the instrumentals, although I do wish the rhythm guitar was turned up a little more. Their front-man had some great vocal delivery on “Apple Juice.” Another positive that stood out to me was the crowd work. I felt like the front-man did a great job interacting and talking with the crowd between transitions. You could clearly tell that the crowd was invested in the performance, so it was no surprise that they won. I would love to see the band perform at a gig sometime soon and progress further.
Lavon: Lavon was definitely the one to be watching! I found their set to be extremely passionate and full of potential. The band had some amazing stage presence and the crowd was reacting to it. The energy from the band was extremely contagious, and it was clear when a section of the crowd began to mosh. Parts of the performance were leaning heavier than I honestly was expecting, and at times, the mix didn’t quite highlight the vocals and instrumentals as much as I would have liked. But, the raw energy more than made up for it. Lavon’s drummer might have been one of the best drummers of the show. His delivery was insane, to the point that the cymbals started to collapse. I could really see Lavon thriving in the punk rock scene and performing shows in Downtown Provo or even under a freeway bridge. Overall great performance!
Freakazoid: Although they weren’t in the competition, there’s something exciting about a good old two-man band. Their set was loud, fast-paced, and full of impressive guitar work. The drummer was also a powerhouse that was exciting to watch. While this set wasn’t my personal favorite, I can’t deny the skill and excitement they brought to the show. They definitely delivered an exciting show while showcasing their talents as a duo.
Each band brought something different to the table, making it an exciting and diverse show. In the end, The Lipps ended up taking home the prize, and it makes sense as The Lipps easily stole the show for me. Their performance was everything you could ask for in a live set and I have no doubt they’ll continue to impress. Another band that stood out to me was Lavon. I really think they brought something different to the stage and left a lasting impression. Either way, every band showcased something great, proving that our local music scene is alive and thriving.
