_{By Mitch Tousley}

The time between doors opening and downbeat was energetic. There was interest stirred in the crowd by a significant number of attendees in goth attire and makeup, leading people to wonder which band the goths were there to support.

John Schultz introduced the event by reminding us of the special nature of the event. All the music played between sets was music recorded by former winners, including The Backseat Lovers and Imagine Dragons.

The Bombshell Flowers

The Bombshell Flowers kicked off the night with a driving groove and a welcomed invitation for the crowd to get as close to the stage as possible. Sunny indie rock with tight harmonies and playful smiles from every member of the three-piece brought a fun vibe to the night. They didn’t hesitate continuing on from the first song, going from one energetic banger to another, though this second song had a slowed down bridge that got the whole crowd jumping. The crowd wasn’t alone in their movement, as each member of the three-piece was maximizing every square inch of stage they had. 

The group’s set was packed with fun tunes, but the standout was their closer. It was an ode to their savior and master, Garfield, and a lament of Mondays. More people had filled into the venue by this point, and everyone was grooving along, from the front row to back where the judges were sitting. 

Lane And The Chain

Before their set even began, the lead vocalist of Lane And The Chain used their line check as an opportunity to talk directly to the audience and get them hyped. (It was very effective.) This band immediately set themselves apart with an interesting arrangement. Crunchy power chords on the guitar, heavy bass, dynamic drums, precise piano, and powerful vocals akin to Ann Wilson. It all blended into a kind of goth-glam rock lead by a frontwoman with the kind of cool factor that Courtney Love and Annie Clark possess, but few others do.

Their second song was a catchy mid-tempo jam that was as emotional as it was danceable. Up next was a song that sounded like Paramore did a cover of a long-lost Billy Joel recording. It’s a tune I’ll be humming to myself for the next few days. Following that was a ballad featuring Lane and a dark acoustic guitar. This simple arrangement allowed Lane’s vocals to reverberate off of the walls of Velour, leaving every listener with goosebumps. Every song was a dynamic and engaging experience, each one standing out as a highlight in the set.

The Moonspinners

A contrast from the last group, The Moonspinners came out with a laid-back vibe. Beneath this sound however, there’s no shortage of technical ability. Interesting rhythmic details with perfectly executed vocal harmonies and chord changes permeated every song in the set. There’s something a bit timeless about their sound, with warm lead guitar licks weaving around the lyrics of the second song. 

One song featured the all-too-underutilized bass solo, followed by a tight guitar duet. All this technical craft didn’t alienate the audience, as the venue was filled with swaying and clapping participants. 

At the end of the set, they changed things up with an uptempo jam that got all the aforementioned swayers to dance and jump. It was a clear audience favorite. Their last song was their most emotional — a 6/8 number with some truly wild drum fills and frenetic guitar solos. They saved the song that showcases the full breadth of their ability for last and to great effect. 

The Midnite Judges

Utah County’s only goth band started with the frontman hitting their guitar with a gavel, letting the open string ring out. After declaring the court in session, the whole band entered and kicked off a gothic, spoken-word art-rock number. The night’s first mosh pit followed the drummer’s count-in to the second song, a growling punk rock number that was channeling Jello Biafra.

If there’s one thing The Midnight Judges have nailed, it’s tone. The combination of extended techniques on the guitars and perfectly dialed-in effects pedals created ominous soundscapes that gave each song a memorable sound. A mid-set intermission gave the band a chance to thank fans and give merch away to the best-looking goths in the audience. It was a nice moment that shows the great relationship the band has with its fans. Following was a wonky organ heavy song. It was definitely the campiest song of the night (that’s a compliment) and the only one to get someone crowd surfing. 

The closing number brought a kind of heaviness I’ve never seen at Velour. A circle pit, snarling vocals and feedback laced guitars made for a climatic end to the evening.

Results

Every band brought something memorable to the table and gave the judges a difficult task. The votes resulted in a complicated tie situation, so the judges retreated to Corey Fox’s office for a tie-breaking vote. The Bombshell Flowers narrowly broke said tie and took the win for the night.

The Bombshell Flowers advance to finals, this Saturday, June 28, where they’ll play alongside The Last Wild Buffalo, The Penny Candies, Saemore, and the winner of night 5!

Speaking of Night 5, Velour’s final night of Summer 2025 Battle of the Bands prelims is tonight! Night 5 will see Valentine’s Day Club, I’d Rather Be, Hug the Warrior, and Aurhe perform. Doors open at 7:30 PM. While you’re waiting for the show to start, check out “Love’s Not Enough” by Lane And The Chain below, and be sure to follow Night 4 winners The Bombshell Flowers on Instagram!