The Boardwalk Spring 2024 Battle of the Bands – Night 1

_{By Zach Collier}

It’s been amazing to see The Boardwalk’s Battle of the Bands grow in popularity over the years. Monday nights for any week-long event are normally light on attendance, but not tonight. The Boardwalk had patrons stacked from stage to loading bay, with roughly 120 people in attendance. It was a privilege to judge the evening with Andrew Hack of Hackd Studios in Salt Lake and the bois from Ignatious – the previous Boardwalk Battle of the Bands champs.

Solar Punk

Solar Punk kicked off the night. A trio fronted by a bassist, the group was solid and held it down as far as rhythm was concerned, locking in on Nu-Metal inspired grooves. The band worked best when they got in touch with their inner Beastie Boys. The frontman has the right tone and sonic delivery for a heavy, suburban angst-laden, quasi-rap metal group. 

My biggest issue with Solar Punk’s set was that there wasn’t enough going on in the high end of the frequency spectrum. The low end locked so good, but the vocal melodies were too mid-range to cut over the wall of sound. It all felt pretty muddy and boomy. Their last number was their strongest of the night, and tapped into everything they do well and was properly arranged so their frontman’s voice sat atop the band. The only thing I think could’ve added to the last number was some gang vocals from the drummer and guitarist. Having them come in on some group shouts would add so much punch to their already energetic art. Going forward, I hope Solar Punk uses their last number as a template for their sound. 

Also, their band name is badass.

Kid Presentable 

I had so much fun during this set. So. Much. Fun. Kid Presentable took the stage wearing Boy Scout uniforms, and then raised their arm to the square and kicked off their set with the rowdiest recitation of the Scout Oath in the history of ever. 

They then dropped into a WILD ska set. The up beats were a little loose for the first 15 to 20 seconds — likely due to nerves — but they settled in by the first chorus and absolutely killed the rest of the set. Great horns and great harmonies, accompanied by exhilarating screams and shouts. And I can guarantee with absolute certainty that everyone who was there remembers that rippin sax solo. 

With Kid Presentable, their two lead singers just haven’t quite found their footing during the exposed lead vocal sections. They both come alive when they’re screaming or when they’re singing/harmonizing with each other, but alone, they lack the same swagger. Like Solar Punk, a lot of the melodies are written in a low register. I wonder if it might be worth pitching their songs up a half step in practice just to see if it helps the frontmen to really hone their delivery.

Criticism aside, this band slays. It’s been a while since I’ve heard good live ska. I’m not one to skank, but they almost got me going. A few small tweaks and they’ll definitely thrill the audience every time. 

Lipsill 

Lipsill’s opening was moody as h*ck: ambient distortion before the drums entered with cymbal hits, and the band began locking in on the changes. After an atmospheric build, they launched into a raucous, heavy, four on the floor banger.

While I had the most fun during Kid Presentable’s set, these guys were a very close second. They were the first ones of the night to not just play a set, but to really put on a show. Lipsill understood that there’s more to a show than standing up and playing a handful of songs in a row. They planned for moments that upped the ante and took things to the next level in each song; their tones were dialed in and calculated; their arrangements were smart and knew when to hit us with a wall of sound and when to strip things back and let the room breathe; they had arranged transitions between songs that made everything flow effortlessly and artistically; and every single member brought the energy onstage.

Bands like Lipsill are the reason why The Boardwalk HAS to exist and be supported. There’s some great alt music being made in Utah County, and we need a space to hear it. This set was magical. 

Awakening Autumn 

I’ve heard amazing things about Awakening Autumn from Ashleigh of @SLCRockRenaissance. Not going to lie, they didn’t disappoint. The most pop-oriented band of the night, they brought a summer-ready sound full of clean tones and catchy hooks. 

Their second song, “Break My Teeth,” was a standout from the night. It oozed nostalgia, painting the room shades of blue with lush harmonies and relentless toms. It was at once elevating and heart wrenching — one of those songs that perfectly captures the feeling of young love. 

Unfortunately, their set was just that — a set. Even though it was tight, clear, well written, well performed, and fun, it lacked the polished transitions of Lipsill’s set. And even though it was better executed than Kid Presentable’s set, Kid Presentable had the Boy Scout theme that left a permanent image in the minds of the audience. Awakening Autumn paused the music in between each song to introduce band members, explain songs, clap for the other bands, etc. All nice gestures, but it unfortunately had the side effect of sucking some of the momentum from the experience.

My advice for Awakening Autumn: you guys are so good! But a good band is often best when they’re playing music, so try to shorten the time in between songs. You guys are good enough that it’s time to elevate your set to a show. When you’ve got radio ready bangers like your finale, your songs deserve care and respect before, during, and after you play them.

Results

In the end, two bands were chosen to move on. This year, The Boardwalk is holding the “Ultimate Runner Up” competition on Friday night – pitting every second-place winner from each night against each other to see who comes out on top. The first ever runner up crowned in a Boardwalk Battle of the Bands was Awakening Autumn, and the first-place winner of the night was Lipsill!

You can catch Awakening Autumn on Friday, May 17 and Lipsill on Saturday, May 18. The Boardwalk’s Spring 2024 Battle of the Bands continues tonight! Catch No 1’s Home, Dead Metro, The Friendly Monties, and The Samuel Charles Band at 7 PM. Check out “Break My Teeth” by Awakening Autumn while you wait!