BEYOND THE NOTES
Photo by Tara Radmard
Photo by Tara Radmard
Photo by Ashlyn Ablao
After months of auditioning and planning through Cherry Pop Records, in collaboration with 840 West and VOVE, the iconic Troubadour was packed wall-to-wall on April 16 with an eager, electric crowd lit up by blue and purple lights. Fans gathered to watch nine bands from CSUN, USC, and UCLA compete for the first-ever Battle of the Bands title.
The venue, known for hosting legends such as Elton John, Joni Mitchell, and Justin Bieber, welcomed three bands from each school. Each group had just fifteen minutes to perform a set of their choosing, all vying to be crowned the night’s winner.
Following CSUN’s Nick Moon and USC’s Off-Peak, UCLA’s first representative, The Sunset Wrecks, took the stage. The four-member coastal boy band immediately energized the crowd, sparking mosh pits, cracking jokes, and enjoying one another’s company. Playing together for just over a year, the band described the experience as “a dream come true.” They are self-described as “a bunch of fun guys wanting to have fun,” and as far as the audience was concerned, their description was apt. Their set, featuring a mix of originals and a standout rendition of “Valerie,” delivered a full, dynamic sound driven by harmonies and impressive guitar solos. With only four members, they delivered an exhilarating, cohesive performance that resonated with the audience.
After sets from CSUN’s Nick Colton and USC’s Skusic, Cherry Pop’s own Lady Vengeance came on sixth. Dressed in all black, the five-member punk rock band delivered an intense and high-energy performance of originals and covers, including their new song, “Dracula Shot Up the Car Park (a Metaphor for the Heart),” and Britney Spears’ “...Baby One More Time.” Describing themselves as “a lot to look at,” “loud,” and “brash,” they lived up to their word, captivating the crowd with their engaging stamina, style, joy, and infectious enthusiasm.
Following CSUN’s Junah and USC’s Amelie, UCLA’s final act, The 529s, closed the night. The eight-member band reflected on the significance of performing at the Troubadour, calling it a “historic venue” and noting the surreal experience of seeing posters of artists, including Joan Baez and Willie Nelson, lining the walls. Named after the freshman dorm room where the original members met, The 529s described their sound as “mature” and “purposeful,” blending jazz influences with a distinctive acoustic style. Their set, featuring John Mayer’s “Queen of California” alongside two originals, “Get Me On The Way” and “New Song,” encouraged audience participation and ended in resounding cheers, solidifying their success as the night’s closing act.
After the final performance, the audience voted via a QR code for the inaugural Battle of the Bands winner. When the results were announced, the crowd erupted into applause and repeated chants of “UCLA” as The 529s returned to the stage to accept their victory. Amid the celebration, guitarist and vocalist Maxwell Jenkins acknowledged the competition, saying, “Everybody tonight was incredible.” Lead vocalist and guitarist, Kiva Schweig, echoed the sentiment, reflecting, “The whole setup, the atmosphere, all the UCLA people who came out, it was incredible,” adding, “It was a memory that we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives.”
For one night at the Troubadour, the rivalry between schools gave way to something louder and more important: music that brought the communities together.
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