On Thursday, Feb. 19, MUSIC Matters hosted another successful Battle of the Bands, live from LIVE nightclub in downtown Ann Arbor. The energy in the club was at a high, as students and community members gathered to listen to four student bands perform in hopes of being crowned the night's winner. Battle of the Bands is an annual MUSIC Matters favorite and this year's lineup did not disappoint. Battle of the Bands featured 4 bands: Rosehill, Wisdom Drive, 998, 577 Beers, and Grenadine. This amazing lineup kept the audience entertained with singing, dancing, and a variety of songs and genres throughout the night.
Rosehill, a band of “four guys who love rock ‘n’ roll,” was the first to take the stage. They kicked things off by warming up the crowd with “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles. The group also performed two original songs, “Atlantis” and “Melt Away,” giving the audience a taste of their rock-inspired sound. Altogether, Rosehill delivered an authentic rock ‘n’ roll experience and definitely got the night started on the right note.
The second act of the night was Wisdom Drive, a pop and rock inspired band made up of a tight-knit group of friends. They kicked off their set with a lively cover of “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder, instantly setting an upbeat tone. The band kept the energy up as they closed with a University of Michigan favorite, “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, a performance that had the entire crowd singing along.
Up next was 988,577 Beers. Previously known as 1,000,000 Beers, the band is on a quest to reach zero beers through live music. Blending indie, folk, and rock with an incredible stage presence, they kept the audience thoroughly entertained throughout their set. They briefly brought the energy down with a cover of “Apocalypse” by Cigarettes After Sex before turning it right back up with an incredible rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels, which had the crowd dancing along to the fiddle.
There was a palpable excitement in the audience as Grenadine took the stage to close out the night. Blending pop, funk, and soul, the band delivered a warm, lively sound that captivated the audience from start to finish. They opened with “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles and kept the crowd singing and dancing all the way through their closing number, “Purple Rain” by Prince, a true crowd favorite.
After a night of incredible live music from local University of Michigan bands, it was time for the crowd to choose their favorite act. It was no easy decision, but 988,577 Beers won over the audience with their charisma and infectious energy, while Grenadine earned second place after a standout performance. Each band brought a unique sound and stage presence, making for an unforgettable and highly successful night.
If you enjoyed Battle of the Bands and want to experience more incredible live music, be sure to check out Springfest, hosted by MUSIC Matters, on April 17th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on State Street and North University Avenue. The event will feature performances from bands including 988,577 Beers, along with food, fun, and more!
