Anticipation filled the air while the crowd waited anxiously to find out who would win BYU's fall Battle of the Bands competition, which took place Saturday night. It continued its tradition of giving the community a taste of great music.

In third place was A Band Called Riley. Second place was claimed by Fuller's Field. And finally, first place: After a long drum roll and a pause from the announcer, Imagine Dragons was called as the winner.

The fans cheered and many seemed happy with the results. The band played an encore that ended the night with a bang.

Aurora Florence, a member of Imagine Dragons and a 19-year-old sophomore from Loomis, Calif., said Battle of the Bands was their third performance.

She said that as a band, they think it is important to get the crowd involved and be a part of the performance.

"We noticed ... everyone down here [on the floor] was having a lot of fun," Florence said. "But the people farther back, just because it is harder to hear and stuff, they were just kind of like 'whatever.' So we were like, 'OK guys, let's go out there and make sure everyone has a good time. Let's get everyone involved,' and I feel like we did that."

Josh Epperson is the drummer in Fuller's Field. The band has been together for two months. He said he was happy they placed second, considering the competition.

"I was impressed with all the talent," Epperson said. "There was actually a lot more talent here than I thought there would be. It was really pretty tough and I am glad that we got second."

Zack Milne, a 21-year-old sophomore from Las Vegas, thought it was good overall, but that some parts were better than others.

"There were some things that could have been better, but the bands were awesome - the quality of singers were good," Milne said. "BYU did a good job putting it on. I think there were definitely some things that could have been changed. I would have liked it to have a little more interaction and a bit more closeness. ... the sound was a little bit off."

BYUSA sponsors Battle of the Band and, like all student-run activities, it was a chance to learn and grow.

Stephanie Orlowski, a BYUSA member in charge of Battle of the Bands, said one important element of the show is mixing up the location.

"I think it is always great to have variety," Orlowski said. "Last year was great in the Wilk. I know the year before, they had anticipated to be in the JFSB and now it was in the Field house. I don't think we will ever find the perfect place, as far as I know, but keeping the variety is really good."

However, she said problems arise that are out of the hands of those in control. Orlowski said two weeks before the show, she was informed of the spring board floor in the Smith Field House and was told no more than 300 students would be allowed on the floor.

"I am also a little disappointed because of things that happened in the preparation that we couldn't have predicted," Orlowski said. "Such as the spring floor ... and I know that caused a lot of complaints, but that was something I could not have predicted."



Copyright Brigham Young University 27 Oct 2008