Bands to battle for their big break

Have you heard the buzz? Someone’s going to win the UNM Battle of the Bands.
And it all goes down Sunday at the SUB.

With 25 bands already signed up, and more coming in right up to the deadline, which was Tuesday at 5 p.m., Student Activities staff member Jordi Gailard said she expects this to be an extra huge event.

The winners will receive a paid performance opening for a national music act at UNM Fiestas on April 24. Previous national acts at the UNM Fiestas included openings for musical groups Calexico, Oh Snap, Reel Big Fish and The Glitch Mob.

The event was started four years ago by the Student Activities Center, said Gailard.
“A battle of the bands seemed like a fun way to get students involved,” Gailard said. “Something we hadn’t done before.”
Gailard said previous winners are allowed to apply to the Sunday night showdown, as long as 50 percent or more of the band members are UNM students and enrolled in at least six credit hours.

Each band will have 15 minutes to capture the crowd and the attention of the anonymous judges scattered throughout the audience.

“This year we have everything from acoustic pop to psychedelic rap rock,” Gailard said. The judging is based on the bands’ stage presence, overall performance, audience response, how the musicians work together on stage and the clarity of the music.

Judges in past battles include Alibi music editors and writers and Warehouse 508 staff members, she said.
“We are excited about this event Saturday,” Gailard said. “The line up is diverse, and the best part is this is a great way to support UNM students and local music.”

*Battle of the Bands
Sunday 1 p.m.
SUB Ballroom C
Free

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