2022 Battle of the Bands at the University of Louisville

Recap

May 16

Written By William Smith

**BATTLE OF THE BANDS**

*Writeup by* *William Smith*
*Photos by* *Avril Delallana*

🧨🏆🥊

ONE NIGHT ONLY

🧨🏆🥊 ONE NIGHT ONLY

It’s probably well enough known by now that Printed was a project born of the pandemic. Our story, whenever I’m asked for it, is that Printed was meant to capture the community of an arts festival into something that could be spread without germs hitching a ride. With every new idea born of limitation though, there existed one untranslatable. Battle of the Bands was one such idea.

According to my dad, a University of Louisville alumnus and 55 year old man, UofL’s Red Barn used to be host to a ton of concerts. He saw Living Colour there, so I’ve been told many times! I was disappointed to find during my time at the University that this was mostly a practice of the past. Red Barn concerts for my four years could probably have been counted on one hand. The pandemic, of course, only worsened this drought.

Come my last semester possibilities began to return. It was time, just in time. The Outreach team and I got to work on organizing an event that would not only be a concert, but a full experience. And what’s more of an experience than wrestling? Dr. Ricky L. Jones, chair of UofL’s Pan-African Studies Department and promoter for Ohio Valley Wrestling, offered up his time and excitement. Student bands did much the same, and a lineup quickly formed. Much like Printed Edition One sought to connect communities, in clashing together local music and wrestling we here aimed to do the same. Ring the bell, the battle was on.

Dr. Ricky L. “The Apex Intellectual” Jones

First up, after a rousing introduction from Dr. Jones, was Vision Board. Despite being in a position usually feared by musicians, first up, Vision Board through their indie rock jams exercised a complete control of their crowd. There was singing along, clapping to beats, and even a waving of cell phone flashlights all in the span of 45 minutes. This was the group’s first gig after a recent studio recording session, and as such they were primed with a whole slate of originals. I, and I’m sure much of the crowd, are excited to hear those tracks again once they’re officially released.

Second in the lineup was Dinero Romero. A project conceived in UofL’s School of Music, Dinero Romero brought to the battle an unmatched technical edge. Represented in their set were elements new wave, psychedelic, progressive, jam band, and even comedic, continuously flowing in and out of the spotlight. When your band has two drummers, what else could you expect? Punctuating the set was a bit utilizing a conductor’s baton, having a laugh with the band’s wealth of genres and instruments. Despite all this seemingly intellectual flair, Dinero Romero brought the hype, with the audience breaking into mosh pits and synchronized head banging multiple times. Also, gotta respect the matching denim.

Lastly, deemed by Dr. Jones the pretty boys of the competition, were The Anchorites. Coming out and keeping up with a nonstop energy, The Anchorites kept the crowd on their feet and moving. Between indie and punk flavored originals the band rocked some covers, including to loud acclaim the What’s New Scooby Doo? theme. The Anchorites came ready to rumble. Members sported luchador masks and their promo video preceding the event was filled with scathing callouts. Finishing out the event has its advantages, as The Anchorites were the only group to play an encore song: Car Seat Headrest’s “Drug’s With Friends,” a likely to response to Vision Board’s earlier take on “Destroyed by Hippie Powers.” The Anchorites went out like they came in, with guns a’blazing.

The confidence on display from The Anchorites wasn’t unfounded, as per Dr. Jones and the cheering audience, they went home with the champ’s belt! Before that though, in the way stood some drama. A presence so-far unmentioned at this event was I, William. I put in the work to make this all happen, so I was going to soak up some of the spotlight for myself, of course. It’s only fair, right? I opened up the event masked-up and dressed to the nines, representing the good people of Printed and UofL’s Honors Student Council alike. I felt something in the air though, something wrong.

During The Anchorites’ set, a police officer appeared at the Red Barn. We had a noise complaint called on us, so I was told, and for that I was furious. While all of these bands put their hearts into their performances, clearly none of them were leaving room for the abstaining students and our boys in blue. By the event’s closing, I was ready to take the belt home myself, and revoke each band’s payment. The crowd was unhappy, of course, but it was my event, dammit!

Dr. Jones felt differently. During my tirade “The Apex Intellectual” himself took matters into his own hands, ripping the belt and mic from my hands and laying me out with a few good jabs to the face. I was out cold, and since the belt was gone when I awoke three days later, I can only assume the crowd got its way. I have since learned from my mistake, and am endlessly grateful to Dr. Jones, the participating bands, the crowd, and everyone else who made the event a success. Keep on rocking in the free world, everybody.