Submissions to join the campus-wide competition closed over a month ago on March 23, and performing bands needed at least one MSU student member to apply. Additionally, their submission was required to be an original song, with a video application of only a minute or less. Otherwise, music from all genres and levels of experience were welcome.

Once an annual tradition, this will be the first time the event has taken place in at least a decade, said the organizer and French and advertising senior Olivia Bertaud. 

Bertaud holds a joint position at both Impact 89FM as the live music director and at MSU UAB as the music coordinator. She said although she is graduating this semester, she hopes to see the Battle of the Bands become an annual occurrence for MSU, as it offers opportunity and entertainment for the campus community. 

"It is really cool," Bertaud said. "And hopefully something we can revive for future generations."

Bertaud said they received 20 initial submissions, and all voting was digital until the final round. She explained that the UAB prioritized diversity of sounds when selecting participants, so some groups moved forward due to being the only one of their genre.

"We only got one band that was country-ish," Bertaud said. "We tried to get a wide spread of genres and variety in our selections, to appeal to all students who otherwise would not come."

The concerts will feature the final four bands remaining after weeks of community voting and elimination conducted through social media. This includes performances by Yellowhouse, Lounge, Queen Jayne and The Sissy Boys.

Each group will receive the opportunity to perform one to two songs, and elimination will happen via in-person voting. The bands that place in the top three will be able to pick between choices of their prize. 

These options include recording services/professional studio time with a sound technician, a photoshoot with a photographer and photo editor, or design help and funding for merchandise.

"It's all stuff that helps them on that trajectory of getting their name out there, promoting themselves and developing these artists," Bertaud said. 

The Sissy Boys is one of four to make it to the final round of the competition. The group has five members: vocalist Dominic Hart, guitarists Cam Dewitt and Jake Klemp, bassist Mike Wolfard and drummer and mechanical engineering freshman William Butler.

They’re a ‘hardcore, punk-rock’ band originally from Muskegon that have been a group since 2019, said Butler, who entered them in the competition. They specialize in up-beat, fast music that has a lively and traditional rock feel.

While regular performers, Butler said they’ve never taken part in an event like this. They hope they can offer a new sound and exciting performance to the campus community.

"I think it’s a good thing to have a variety of live music for students here," Butler said. "I’m sure there's a lot of people who have never heard this kind of music or been to a live show before."

Whether they win or lose, Butler said the band hopes they can entertain. Additionally, this opportunity will help with promotion for the groups’ tour and album release, which are coming this summer. 

"Our shows are very inviting and fun," Butler said. "We also usually do bits or dumb costumes, so they’re funny."

Another finalist is Kalamazoo-based band Yellowhouse, also consisting of five members, several of which are current or former MSU students: bassist and advertising management senior Sam Van Winkle, guitarist and alumni Drew Jepson, drummer and alumni Nick Loken, guitarist Colin Frieben and vocalist Lucy Wallis.

This is not Yellowhouse’s first rodeo, as they won the last Battle of the Bands they competed in and were given studio time as a prize. Wallis said that experience has prepared them for this opportunity.

If they win, they plan to put more time into studio recordings and keep providing new music to fans.

"We have a new single out," Wallis said. "We’re really looking to keep building our brand, our identity as a band and connect with our audience."

Wallis also believes this event is an opportunity for the artists and community both, as live music has a way of connecting people. 

"There’s fun camaraderie that comes from these events," Wallis said.

She feels as though the performance scene has been lacking since the pandemic, but wants to bring the lively and creative outlet back to campus with the upcoming competition.

This Battle of the Bands offers the revival of a retired MSU tradition and opportunity for those all across campus, including the music scene itself.

"I think people are ready for a comeback, in a way they don't even know," Bertaud said.