Each week, three bands square off to qualify for the finals of CIVL Radio’s Battle of the Bands, where local acts compete for a variety of prizes and community exposure.
The competition is in its first round, and every Saturday three bands perform at Aftermath on the UFV Abbotsford campus. A winning band is selected by a panel of judges based on originality, musicianship, song writing, stage presence, and crowd response. Winners from each week will go on to round two. Losing bands still have a chance to make it into the finals as wildcards through online fan voting after the first six rounds are completed.
On Saturday, Old Mare, Casinos, and Lonely Cave Kings played to a crowd of about 60 people. Judges declared Casinos the winners, who will move on to the finals, with the other two bands waiting for the wild card selections.
Abbotsford band Casinos performs at CIVL Radio's Battle of the Bands on Saturday.
Aaron Levy, station manager at CIVL Radio, said 47 bands applied to the Battle of the Bands, coming from Chilliwack to Delta. A panel pared it down to 18 bands that would compete in the first round.
Levy said the Battle of the Bands helps CIVL Radio fundraise and raise their profile in the community, but also helps increase exposure for local bands and promote the music scene in the Fraser Valley.
“The Fraser Valley has an incredible and immense about of talent.”
He said the project is part of the grassroots effort to promote community and campus radio in the area.
“We’re hoping the bands will bring people out. It’s all about getting people to know CIVL.”
The bands are competing for $4000 worth of prizes from Tractorgrease Multimedia, Five Acres Studio, Jayme Anne Photography, and Long & McQuade.
The event runs every Saturday until July 15 at Aftermath, on the UFV Abbotsford campus at King Road.
All ages welcome, doors open a 7 p.m. and bands play from 7:30 to 9 p.m., $5 per night.
First Round bands:
Week One, Saturday May 11: 7th Avenue [Rock/Blues], Yes Men Jr [Synth-Punk], Merciful Angel [Traditional/Thrash]
Week Two, Saturday May 18: Old Mare [Alt Rock], Lonely Cave Kings[Rock/Alternative], Casinos [Garage Rock]
Week Three, Saturday May 25: Hrdwtr [Folk Rock], Kara-Kata Afrobeat Group [World],Poppy and the Pistols [Alt Rock]
Week Four, Saturday June 1: Minnesota Nice [Rock], Guts and Glory[Punk/Ska/Hardcore], Losses [Post-Hardcore]
Week Five, Saturday June 8: Empty After [Rock/Indie], Captain Blast & the INCISION[Funk/Metal], Hot Lunch [Post Cute Hair Punk]
Week Six, Saturday June 15: MG Graveyard [Rock N' Roll/Blues], Derrival [Indie Rock], Big Damn Heroes [Power Pop]