By Nicola Reyneke
Four bands, each bringing a distinct sound, competed for the Aandklas Battle of the Bands title on 29 August. Yet, despite the name of the competition, the evening seemed to produce more camaraderie than rivalry.
A packed Aandklas crowd shows their support during the Battle of the Bands final on 29 August. Photo: Dané Smit
Vrydenk Effek, We’re Alright, House Rules and Octobersky took to the Aandklas stage, bringing everything from rock ’n’ roll and indie-pop-rock to funk, soul and country influences.
Daniel Shapiro, one of the judges, said that this year’s finals sounded somewhat different. More alternative sounds had been prominent earlier in the competition, while the finals leaned towards country and more generally accessible music. “No metal in the final, which was kind of crazy,” he said.
First up was Vrydenk Effek, who described themselves simply as rock ’n’ roll. Drummer Alexander Burger’s biggest takeaway from the competition was equally uncomplicated, “Have fucking fun. Jam it out, man.”
“Vinniger. Laer. Harder.” They shouted between their songs.
Their set included “Spooktrein”, “Swart Rivier”, “Monsterbloed” and “Gaan Aan”, as well as the new “Pyn van Eden”. Burger said, “It’s a sea of cool bands, and such diversity at that.”.
JP le Roux, bassist for Vrydenk Effek, rocks out during the Aandklas Battle of the Bands final. Photo: Dané Smit
Next came We’re Alright, trading rock ’n’ roll for a blend of rock, singer-songwriter, funk, indie and pop – or simply indie-pop-rock. Suited up for the occasion, the six-piece wanted to “start off hot”, according to guitarist Jesse Lees.
We’re Alright vocalist Ziev Kazansky takes the stage during the Aandklas Battle of the Bands final. Photo: Dané Smit
Beyond looking sharp in their matching suits, the band said that the competition taught them to focus less on individual performances and more on what best serves each song. “We learned how to serve the music more than ourselves, and restraint as by allowing the music itself to lead” said Lees.
House Rules followed with perhaps the most packed stage of the night. The seven-piece fusion band combines vocals, guitars and drums with trumpet, saxophone and trombone, drawing from soul, rock and ballads.
House Rules pack the Aandklas stage with their fusion of soul, rock and brass during the Battle of the Bands final. Photo: Dané Smit
Among their mostly original set was “Pink Socks and Birkenstocks” – a title which, fittingly, also sums up the band rather well. Drummer and backing vocalist Tate Haarhoff described them as “a bunch of grown men wearing pink socks and Birkenstocks and playing barefooted gigs”.
The competition also challenged the band musically. Haarhoff said they learned to focus less on simply creating energy and more on “constructing a song to tell a story”.
Octobersky ended the night with a bang in their country-inspired attire, signalling yet another shift in sound. Their set mixed original material with a cover of the late Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” as a tribute.
Octobersky vocalist and guitarist Qondéa Avril Mkansi takes to the Aandklas stage during the Battle of the Bands final. Photo: Dané Smit
“I feel like this was our best show yet,” said vocalist and guitarist Qondèa Avril Mkansi. “We weren’t really concerned about winning it, just enjoying it. We do this for love. It’s our spiritual practice.”
That approach carried into some of the band’s more vulnerable material. Mkansi introduced “Howling Oblivion”, written after the death of her childhood friend, with a dedication, “If you’ve ever lost someone, this is for you.”
Despite competing for the same title, Mkansi said the experience never really felt like a battle. “Even though they call it Battle of the Bands, it’s actually not even a competition,” she said. “It’s like a space where collaborative art takes form.”
There did, however, eventually have to be a winner.
Shapiro said that while the judges had disagreed over who should progress during earlier rounds, the final was a different story. Their scores were relatively similar, and he said, “The judges were entirely on the same page.”
And so, Octobersky took the title.
Octobersky celebrate their Aandklas Battle of the Bands win. From left: Shannon Kelly Ryan, Qondéa Avril Mkansi, Eli Bali and Malson Nhkata. Photo: Dané Smit
“It feels so great. I didn’t expect it at all. I’m still shocked,” Mkansi said after the announcement, describing the win as “life-affirming and humbling”. Now, the self-described formerly “shy” band plans to step out of its cocoon, release more music and build a community of its own.
The finalists and judges of the 2026 Aandklas Battle of the Bands celebrate together after the final. Photo: Dané Smit
For a Battle of the Bands, there seemed to be remarkably little battling. Instead, four very different sounds found space on the same Aandklas stage – even if only one could walk away with the title.
