Langley-based band Derrival took home the top prize at CIVL Radio's first Fraser Valley Battle of the Bands.
Nearly 50 bands from as far as Saanich and the Sunshine Coast applied to the battle for a chance to win more than $4,500 in prizes from Tractorgrease Multimedia, Five Acres Studio, Jayme Anne Photography, and Long and McQuade.
UFV’s social house, Aftermath, played host to 18 bands in three rounds of the battle. A total of 522 attendees enjoyed 30 live sets from the Fraser Valley’s newest and best talents.
The competition was fierce, with two fan-voted wild card introduced into the three week playoff round. The communities of the Fraser Valley were represented by fans and musicians alike in the final round, featuring Abbotsford’s Merciful Angel, Mission’s The Nacaals, and Langley’s Derrival.
The final round, the busiest night of the battle with 80 attendees, saw Langley’s Derrival emerge as champions. Derrival also secured a spot to play at one of the province’s premiere events, the Squamish Valley Music Festival in early August.