_{By Jeremy Thacker}

There’s a crackle in the air. As I walk down University Ave I hear the sounds of laughter, singing, and merriment. The cold air nips at our heels, but nobody seems to pay it any mind. The most wonderful time of the year has approached us once again. Of course, I’m not talking about the holidays – I’m talking about Velour’s Winter Battle of the Bands. The lights are strung, the stage is set, and four fantastic bands have decked the halls with catchy melodies, powerful riffs, and intricate harmonies.

Soul Dye

The only thing I knew about Soul Dye was what they had in their Instagram bio: psych rock/jazz. As they took the stage I was curious to see how those genres would mesh, and I’m pleased to say that the answer is surprisingly well! Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of chatter from the crowd during their set – I don’t think the crowd expected such a jazzy set and didn’t seem very sure how to react. I’d love to see them give more of a hook to get the crowd invested.

Soul Dye has a lot of good things going for them. They’re a young band, and with a little more variety and focus in their songwriting, they could carve out a unique space in the scene. I’d love to see them develop more dynamics and find ways to engage the audience—once they hone that, I think they’ll really be able to shine.

Sage Lane

Sage Lane took the stage next, and was exactly what I would expect from Velour. This is classic indie rock, with airy guitar tones and whiny vocals reminiscent of Two Door Cinema Club. They put on a tight set, which is extra impressive given the fact that they had a brand-new guitarist – this was his first show with the band, but had they not announced that fact I never would have guessed.

Not only was the energy palpable, but the audience also sang along to some parts and started dancing. My favorite part of their set involved a “mosh pit” in the back of the venue led by a 1-year-old. The power of rock speaks to all, regardless of age. Sage Lane knows how to work a crowd, and they delivered a set that felt cohesive and engaging. Their indie rock sound had just the right amount of energy to keep everyone on their toes without losing its laid-back charm.

Mom Dad & Me

Mom Dad & Me brought the most explosive energy of the night. The bassist in particular was hard to miss – he bounced nonstop throughout the set, bringing an infectious level of energy that really helped to drive the performance. The band’s ability to shift gears between the explosive choruses and more subdued verses helped maintain that momentum and kept the audience on edge.

While the set primarily consisted of a Midwest emo sound, there were a few moments where Mom Dad & Me showcased even more versatility. “Caroline” stood out to me, especially because it incorporated some bluesy guitar tones. As they continue to grow, Mom Dad & Me should definitely be a band to watch.

Lemonfern

Finally, Lemonfern took the stage with a solid pop rock sound. Their music had some great elements – catchy hooks, solid instrumentation, and impressive vocals. The current iteration of the band has only been playing together for four months, and every member of the band is young, meaning that there’s still a really high ceiling as they continue to grow and learn more.

The unfortunate part of only having been together for four months is that they lacked some of the on-stage cohesion that the other bands exhibited. They felt like they were still working out some kinks in terms of stage presence and energy. It’s clear that they’ve got the raw talent and songwriting ability to make it further in the scene, but the chemistry just isn’t quite there yet. With time, I’m sure the band will grow more comfortable with each other and find their groove, and I’m excited to see how their sound evolves. The potential is definitely there, but they still have a bit of work to do before they reach their full potential.

Results

Overall, it was a night of contrasts: Soul Dye brought a jazzy, experimental vibe, while Sage Lane delivered the perfect indie rock set for the venue. Mom Dad & Me brought the heat with explosive energy, while Lemonfern played an incredibly promising pop rock set. Each group had their own unique flavor, making for an exciting and varied lineup. After some close counting it was time to reveal the winner. It ended up being a very close race, but ultimately Sage Lane was declared the winner!

Velour’s Winter 2024 Battle of the Bands Night 2 is tonight! Care, Wilbere, BONNEVILLE, and Daniel’s Park will perform. Doors open at 7:30 PM. While you’re waiting for the show to start, check out “Can’t Slow Down” by Sage Lane below and be sure to follow them on Instagram.