The Brightside was packed on March 7, with fans from six different bands filling the main room. This was what six weeks of the semi-finals had led to. Six different versions of what Dayton’s music scene sounds like right now. By the time the finalist stepped onto the main stage, the room already knew their names, their strongest songs, and the momentum each band carried.
Dayton Battle of the Bands, a competition spanning six weeks with the finale being the first Saturday of March, consists of 27 bands, all from the Dayton area. Since launching in January 2020, Battle of the Bands (BOTB) has been hosted by The Brightside. In the three years I’ve attended, the event has grown into a huge annual event for the local Dayton music scene.
This year’s BOTB started on January 15 with Alternative / Rock Groups; Socks, Cherry Yum Yums, Ace Slite, and Obscured, who would go on to win week one, setting the tone for the weeks to come. Week one is traditionally one of the busiest nights, and this year was no exception. The refreshed stage, new faces, and new judges made it clear that BOTB had grown once again.
Week two brought an immediate change in sound. Consisting of Amie Rulay, Catsteel, Dak Janiels & The Holy Smokes, Open Sky Revival, and Wakelight, all fit within the week two categories of Americana – Country – Folk. Catsteel won Week two; the juxtaposition between week one and week two brought a completely different vibe, which shows that BOTB is more than different bands, but different identities.
Week three shifted in sound for Hip-hop – Rap with Damac, The Eco, Tronee Threat, and Tyebee & The Buzz. Tronee Threat won the night, delivering a high energy set, with surprise guest members from the world house choir in Yellow Springs lining the front of the stage along with singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Kathy, who is Tronee Threat’s godmother. BOTB is more than a competition, but a celebration of local artists and the community that comes to support.
Week four returned with the heavier sound from Black Spot, Good Soup, Jesus of Hamarita, Leaving Off, and Wilder. Good Soup won the night, bringing one of the most energetic sets from the entirety of the semifinals, with massive mosh pits, with one moment creating a “Wall of Death” with Louis, the singer of Good Soup, jumping into the pit mid-song.
Week Five moved back into the opposite direction with Pop – Rock groups: Matt St. George, Noble Ghost, Novel Vibrations, and Yuppie, with Yuppie taking the win with their catchy riffs, and with surprise guests on their last tune of their 20-minute set Justina Clear and Samuri West.
Week six was to close out the semifinals with The Gage Thomas Band, Getting Taller, The Groove Essentials, Paid Leave and The Westside Players. Paid Leave delivered a standout set and took the final win of the semifinals.
March 7 was the culmination of all six weeks of hard work from the six finalists. The finale brought together all six winners to the main stage at Brightside to duke it out in front of a packed room. The finale consisted of Obscured, Catsteel, Tronee Threat, Good Soup, Yuppie, and Paid Leave.
During Catsteel’s performance, I had a chance to talk with Chloe Strawb and Josh Rapson of Good Soup. Josh talked about what the competition revealed about the current form of Dayton’s music scene, saying that it shows, “Dayton’s music scene is not only alive and well, but also that it’s one of Dayton’s central attractions,” adding that he sees, “Dayton’s artists, musicians, and otherwise, are an essential pillar of this city.”
Chloe spoke about the pressure being in the finale, they said, “We’ve had essentially no time to prepare leading into the battle, even having to move our final practice to a different day, so it’s been a huge struggle getting the set completely how we want it for the actual finals.” Despite the struggles, Chloe said the one thing they want the crowd to remember is “How much fun they’re gonna have during our set,” adding that Good Soup are “Performers before anything else.”
I also had a chance to talk to Zack Silver and Colin Pauley from the band Yuppie after their set. Colin reflected on the set with a mix of relief and pride. “I feel good. I think I did pretty well, and as a band we were really well rehearsed. Even though I’ve been busy and haven’t been able to practice as much as I’d like, I still felt like I delivered. Honestly, I think that was some of our best work. We rehearsed the theatrics a lot, and I feel like we pulled it off and got the crowd really engaged, which is exactly what we wanted.”
Despite the nerves, he remarked, “It was a lot of fun” and, “at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters. Win or lose, did you have fun? And as long as everyone in the audience had fun, and they did, I’m happy.”
Zack echoed that sense of purpose, saying, “I think we are just trying to showcase what our purview of living in Dayton Ohio is like to the world.”
Each band brought something different to the finale, turning the Brightside main stage into a rapid-fire showcase of Dayton talents. Catsteel opened with their Ohio River sound, with jangly guitar and interweaving of violin and cello. Followed by an explosive set by Paid Leave, with their classic rock tone and guitar solos immediately lit up the main room. Obscured changed the atmosphere with their 90’s inspired radio rock with fuzzy crunch of the guitars immediately bringing steady head nods, especially when vocalist Rylan broke into a raw yell during their second song. Tronee Threat delivered a powerful and charismatic performance, involving the crowd at points during their set.
After Good Soup’s set, the audience rushed to fill out their ballots for the winner of Dayton Battle of the Bands. While the folks were being counted, concertgoers rushed to the bar to have intense discussions on who will win. “It’ll be Good Soup” “No, No, Obscured stole the show.” Freakquency, the winners of the 2024 Battle of the Bands, took to the stage while the votes were being counted. Tensions rose as each minute passed. After Freakquency, the votes were in – third place: Yuppie, second: Good Soup, and the winner of Dayton Battle of the Bands was Paid Leave. The room erupted in cheers, as the members of Paid Leave celebrated.
This year’s Battle of the Bands was one full of laughter, sorrow, and joy. The Dayton music scene is full of talented musicians with an unprecedented comradery for one another. I look forward to 2027 season.
Find out more about Dayton Battle of the Bands and this year’s artists on the official BotB website, Facebook page and The Brightside’s Instagram
Article by Jake Schneider: Instagram
Each image was taken by Jake Schneider with a Leica MP all on Kodak Tri-X film
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