Battle of the Bands Showcases Young, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Talent

Battle of the Bands 2011 kicks off another year of youth-powered musical excitement with Saturday night's (April 9) concert at Lake Forest High School's Raymond Moore Auditorium.

The event is sponsored by (Committee Representing Our Young Adults),and. Tickets to the event are $5, and can be purchased at the door.

CROYA manager Todd Nahigian said the annual event, which originated in the mid-1980s, is a true rock concert of high school bands; an event which provides an example of CROYA’s diversified programming and building of partnerships with schools and local organizations.

“[Battle of the Bands] is a great way to recognize youth who are committed to music and what it takes to form a rock band,” Nahigian said. “[The event is a] cool way to attract new youth who may not typically attend a CROYA program.”

This year 12 bands, representing musical styles like hard rock, aternative, rap, ska and heavy metal, auditioned for Battle of the Bands by submitting a DVD of its group performing a selected song.

The 12 bands were reviewed by the event committee, and then whittled down to six: the magic number of groups selected annually to participate in Battle of the Bands.  

Like CROYA's events of years past, Battle of the Bands 2011 will see groups which include students from Lake Forest High School, competing both for the premier spot and for subsequent performing opportunities.  

Among such performing privileges are invitations to record at the CROYA recording studio and opportunities to play in CROYA’s summer programs, including Lake Forest Day Band Jam, Lake Bluff 4^th of July Parade and various summer band events.

“The exciting feedback we get from the parents is one of the most rewarding parts of putting on the show each year,” Nahigian said. “The youth and their parents are both truly thankful for the opportunity to perform in such a high-level event.”

At Transition, comprised of band members from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, will be among the six. The quintet is a returnee from last year's Battle of the Bands, and plays among the genre of alternative rock/fusion.

At Transition band member Alex Flagstad said he and his band mates are in a decidedly better position this year than last year.

“In terms of performance it was a great show, and a learning experience,” Flagstad said of last year’s event.

“This year is different than last year,” Flagstad said. “We’ve been playing so much together; there are more styles we were afraid to approach before that we’re not [afraid to approach] now.”

The added confidence that came with practice and performance experience also brought a new sounds into At Transition's repertoire.

“We have a saxophone now,” Flagstad said.

When asked if At Transition, a band made up of seniors, was excited for the big event, Flagstad was enthusiastic.

“We are extremely excited this year,” Flagstad said. “This year we know what it’s about, and so we’re able to have fun.”

At Transition includes Flagstad, Trent Wildman, Daniel Palella, Jamie Morrow and Carson Goldman. The alternative rock team was originally formed in 2010 and has since played at various local events. At Transition is the headlining band for Battle of the Bands 2011, performing sixth in line. 

But will the last spot be saved for the best? What becomes of these enthusiastic headlining rockers, regardless of whether they outperform their competitors?

Nahigian said it’s common for members of featured bands to later study music in college, and even become professional musicians. 

“This is my 16th straight Battle of the Bands, and it never gets old because of the amazing talent of the bands, and their dedication to making each year’s Battle one to remember,” Nahigian said.

The rest of Saturday night's lineup includes Cause = Time, The Banditos, BLESH, Moody’s Ink and Friday’s Law. Prizes will be awarded for the winning bands, and raffle prizes will be distributed to winning audience participants.