When the lights go down and the amps are turned up Friday night, those in attendance just might see the big-time debut of a soon-to-be famous rock band. 

Battle of the Bands, sponsored by BYUSA, is several years running now and has never failed to promote new up-and-coming artists in the Provo area.

For the bands that take the trophy home, so to speak, the annual competition is more than just a concert. For some, it’s a launching pad for a successful music career.

“My vision is to highlight the people that are really good and give them an opportunity to show their talents,” said Lee Adams, vice-president for campus activities. “From this contest they can get exposure to the local music scene.”

The band Truman won the Battle of the Bands two years in a row in ’06 and ’07 and they said that winning the competition has been one of the best calling cards and musical resume builders in their careers. Truman is currently on a national tour. 

“We used BYU as our place to go out and do our thing,” said Ben Truman, guitar and vocals for Truman. “For us the climax was going to be winning the Battle of the Bands and then when we saw people’s responses, we realized we could do this. Once we won, it helped give us a lot of exposure in the music scene here.”

Truman won $500 and studio time to record two songs.

“We are touring right now [and] we think we are going to move to L.A. and we are going to do the whole thing full time,” Truman said.

Battle of the Bands opens up opportunities and spotlights talent that wouldn’t have had the coverage otherwise. It creates connections and links people together for a memorable event. 

“At Battle of the Bands, we have had so many people get together that just [recently] made a band and they grew relationships, made friends and had fun,” said Christian Chineme, event coordinator. Last year the band that won was Imagine Dragons. They came together weeks before and made great relationships.”

Imagine Dragons are currently touring in Las Vegas, Nev. and promoting their latest EP.
Every year Battle of the Bands has a different theme.

“Last year the theme had a retro feel to it,” Adams said. “The theme and the logo reflect the music that the bands will be playing that year. The bands that played last year had that scent of looking back to the past. This year we have a definite war theme going on. It really focuses on the ‘battle’ part of Battle of the Bands.”  

Although all the bands that play get some exposure, there is only winner, which is determined by the audience’s vote.

The first place winner receives $500 and a concert at Velour; second place receives $100 and a concert in the Wilkinson Center; and third place receives a concert at the Wilkinson Center.

This year’s show offers plenty of musical diversity, with no two bands sounding the same.

“With the bands that are participating, it is a really wide variety and its gong to be a really hard decision,” said Vanessa Oler, co-host of Battle of the Bands. “This concert is good because it showcases the talents and illustrates what the Provo and BYU scene can provide. Several friends swear to me that they would never go to a BYUSA event but they will come to this one because the bands are so talented.”

Tickets are available for $3 at the Information Desk in the Wilkinson Center and $5 at the door.