Student bands perform at BYU's annual Battle of the Bands

The Filibusters finish their encore performance after winning Battle of the Bands. The group has been performing together since 2019, and was thrilled to win the competition. (Caitin Blankenagel)

On March 28, 12 bands took to the Marriott Center stage to compete in Brigham Young University's Battle of the Bands.

Bands old and new played a variety of genres from country to rock, but only one emerged victorious. The Filibusters took first place from the judges, and T-Street won the audience favorite vote.

Hanna Eyre is the lead vocalist for the Filibusters and was overjoyed running up on stage to accept their award.

“It feels incredible. We were just saying it’s surreal,” Eyre said.

Connor Wishart from T Street plays guitar in front of the audience. Wishart was all over the stage, and the band was very entertaining to watch. (Caitin Blankenagel)

The Filibusters were originally started for BYU’s Battle of the Bands in 2019, which unfortunately got cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, the group has performed in numerous other Battle of the Bands, so this win has been a long time coming.

This year’s Battle of the Bands had a huge turnout, with more than 1,000 tickets sold and students filling up sections of the Marriott Center to support their fellow students.

Lilli Criser is the activities director for BYUSA, and said this has been her passion project for months.

“There was literally a moment where I looked up at the crowd, and they all had their flashlights on, and they were waving them side-to-side,” Criser said. “And my eyes welled up with tears — it just made it all worth it.”

Criser credited her team at BYUSA for the love that they all contributed to pull off such an incredible event.

One of the guitarists from Love, Kenna throws his guitar into the air at the end of their set. This was Love, Kenna's second year competing in Battle of the Bands. (Caitin Blankenagel)

Eyre acknowledged the tremendous amount of support and expressed her gratitude for being able to see complete strangers connect with their music.

“That was the realest feeling — just really seeing it touch people,” Eyre said.

One of the judges in attendance was Matt Mason, a history professor at BYU who is also part of a band.

“It’s great fun and a great opportunity because I know what’s at stake for them,” Mason said.

He was eager to support all the young artists and the hard work that they put in for this competition.

“I care about the students here and any chance to help them with anything, I’m all in,” Mason said.

The Filibusters pose with their plaque after Battle of the Bands. From left to right is Thomas Wintch, Curtis Schnitzer, Atticus Wintch and Hanna Eyre. (Caitin Blankenagel)

Curtis Schnitzer, the drummer, said the Filibusters hope to continue their popularity in the Provo music scene.

“Keep filibusting — the music never stops,” Schnitzer said.

Eyre and her fellow band members are already working on writing and recording new music, with the hopes of launching an EP in the next year or so.

To hear the Filibuster's music, check them out on Spotify or Apple Music.