_{Words By Joe Metro
Photos By Molly McCoy}

Hello, and welcome back to Provo Music Magazine’s Joe Metro Report with your host, Joe Metro. People tend to ask, “Joe, you’ve judged and reported on three nights of battle of the bands this year. How are you feeling about Night 4?” Well, let me tell ya, Night 4 was no bore. Night 4 boasted the largest crowd that we’ve seen thus far at this year’s Summer Battle of the Bands, and I think that’s just really neat.

Hurry Up and Wait

If it’s been said once, then it’s been said at least three times: being the opening band is one of the hardest things to do. However, Hurry Up and Wait made it look easy last night. They were the first opening band that I saw this week that felt immediately comfortable. They opened with a very tasty instrumental song, which, if you know anything about me, then you know I am a sucker for an instrumental song.

They had me in the first half, not gonna lie. Then they lost me in the second half. The second half of their set went into the Provocore sound, which I know is very popular right now, but I would love to see less of – especially in a competition where you’re trying to stand out. It’s the age old tension of keeping up with trends versus carving your own path. Regardless, I am very excited to continue to follow along with Hurry Up and Wait. I can’t wait to see what they bring in the future.

Melody Reid

Melody Reid and her group looked like they were having a blast up there. They had fun songs, and people were boppin’ and boopin’ around to them. There was more to the group than my initial assumption of a typical singer/songwriter set. There was great heart and soul in there. I believe that is, in part, because of having two solid backup singers.

That being said, having a total of seven people on stage did give a feeling of things being a bit too “busy.” There is definitely a way to make it work where it feels more natural – like simplifying parts and planning for more space in the arrangements. I think the more the group plays together, through practice and more live shows, the more it will free itself up.

Staycation

Staycation was nothing short of a groove. They bring the type of music where you just want to get under the stars out in the desert somewhere and just dance with those people you hold close. They have a unique blend of yacht-rock, alt, and disco that makes them a treat to listen to. The frontman and the keyboard player were locked in with their vocal melodies. If you have the chance, please go to one of their shows.

Staycation started their set with a great, groovy song that brought everyone in immediately. From there, they showcased different songs to show how they can diversify, and I don’t think that worked last night. They brought the tempo way down midway through their set and for their last song. I would have preferred it if they kept only one slow song, had it as their second-to-last song, then ended on a high note with people grooving again. Ending on a slow song killed the momentum.

T Street

T Street brought the most intensity to their set. Even during slower songs, they kept the intensity, the tempo continued being pushed, and the energy stayed high. They have this great blend of indie West Coast rock. It reminded me of the lesser-known songs from Weezer’s Blue and Green albums. I don’t think I’ve witnessed a crowd be as positively reactionary to a song as last night’s crowd was when the band announced they were playing a track called “What’s the Point.” And for good reason. It was the right song to finish their set.

Some fans brought out four or five beach balls to hit around during their set, and Fern immediately snatched them up. As fun as hitting around beach balls during a show can be, let this be a cautionary tale due to how many lights and other such items there are hanging from the ceiling at Velour. Don’t bring beach balls.

Results

T Street won the night last night. They were fun, they had amazing crowd engagement, and they kept things moving. To end on a very sweet note, I had the chance to have a brief chat with the grandma of the frontman for T Street after all the sets wrapped up and the judging had concluded. She was so happy to be there and so incredibly proud of her grandson. Keep it up, Granny T Street!

Night 5 of Velour’s Summer 2026 Battle of the Bands is tonight! Come see The Third Wheel, Tame Dog, JakDel, and Strawberry Jam. Doors open at 7:30 PM.

While you’re waiting for the show to start, check out “Artificial Colors” by T Street and follow them on Instagram!