Some UNC and Duke students might have their eyes focused on Greensboro this weekend, but the best battle will be taking place on East Campus.
The Duke Coffeehouse is the site of swing dance lessons, avant-garde plays and anti-war meetings. But this Saturday it will embrace the indie rock spirit, hosting the annual Duke vs. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Battle of the Bands.
The competition will pit six bands each from Duke and UNC against each other. Duke groups Cool Ethan, Panda Force, Soulless Dogs, David Eisenband, Tauri Wind and Hopus will compete against one another and UNC bands the Huguenots, Lake Inferior, the Nomad Kings, Apollo, D.LIV(E) and Lafcadio.
Judges will pick one winner who will earn bragging rights, a cash prize and a chance to play on stage at Duke's Last Day of Classes festivities. The show is organized by the Campus Concert Series, a committee of the Duke University Union.
Despite the inevitable campus rivalry, Apostol insisted the Battle of the Bands is about local Triangle music and not a means to even the score for any basketball losses.
"All of these groups are solid performers, representing diverse musical styles like hip-hop, rock, folk and blues," she said.
The battle begins at 6:00 p.m., beginning with Burnout, a middle-school band from Durham's Voyager Academy opening before their collegiate counterparts take the stage.
Admission, coffee and snacks will be provided free of charge. However, all Coffeehouse merchandise sold will benefit Duke's chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Junior Aidan Stallworth, lead singer of Panda Force, wrote in an e-mail that he was looking forward to showcasing his band's brand of "melodic post-rock" and getting the chance to play at LDOC.
"But it's still kinda weird to make music a competition," he said.
Senior Spike Brehm, bassist for defending Battle of the Bands champion Soulless Dogs, wrote in an e-mail that his band's style is funky blues music that is "groovy as hell," channeling the style of Motown and James Brown, among others. Brehm said he expected the Huguenots to be the Soulless Dogs' biggest competition, and warned other bands that they'll be taking on "the best rhythm section in the Triangle."
Judging the concert will be Vice Provost for the Arts Scott Lindroth, WXDU Manager Luke Riservato, a graduate student, a representative from DUU and recess Editor David Graham, a senior. Ensuring impartiality will be representatives of UNC's Daily Tar Heel and student union.
Drawing upon both their own musical preferences as well as audience enthusiasm, the concert's judges will decide the best band of Tobacco Road.
Apart from a showcase of local musical talent, the Battle of the Bands will feature an intermission performance by Duke dance troupe Stop Motion Crew and a post-concert dance party hosted by Coffeehouse Booking Manager and resident DJ Jen Fuh, a junior.
The contest has traditionally held on the West Campus Quadrangle, but CCS President Corina Apostol, a senior, decided to move the competition to East Campus for the venue's intimate feel, better sound quality and meaningfulness to students, bands and Durham community members.
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