By Kerry-Lee Christensen
The Battle of the Bands semi-finals brought together a diverse lineup of musicians and lively performances as bands competed for a place in the finals, on 19 and 22 August at Aandklas Stellenbosch.
Octobersky opens the second Battle of the Bands semi-finals at Aandklas Stellenbosch on 22 August. Photo: Anel Calitz
The semi-finals headlined seven acts, each with a distinct sound and approach to performing. From pop-punk and metal to genre-blending and more unconventional styles, the competition demonstrated the growing diversity of the local music scene. By the end of the second night, House Rules, Octobersky, Vrydenk Effek and We’re Alright had earned their places in the finals on 29 August.
Qondéa Avril Mkansi, Octobersky’s band leader and vocalist, said reaching the semi-finals affirmed the band’s belief in their music and their decision to pursue it.
“It means that we are finally getting recognition and that it’s possible,” Mkansi said. “We do this for the love. We love performing. This is our calling. To be part of the semi-finals means that what we are doing, we’re on the right path. It confirms that what we are doing is approved by the universe and that we are supposed to be doing this.”
The significance of the competition became particularly apparent during Octobersky’s performance. Mkansi highlighted a song written specifically for women, which she said resonated strongly with the audience. As the band performed, audience members raised their phone flashlights, creating a moment that brought the crowd together around the song’s message about women empowerment.
To Mkansi, music is also a means of confronting social issues rather than escaping them. “We can’t drink our pain away. We can’t be ignorant to what is happening in the world,” she said.
Octobersky’s experience also reflects the importance of Battle of the Bands as a space for musicians to connect. Despite competing for a place in the final, Mkansi rejected the idea that the bands are simply rivals. “Even though it is a battle, it is still a collaborative space where we can still get to work outside of the competition,” she said. “It unifies us and brings us together.”
Aliens in Oceans entered the semi-finals with a different musical background. The relatively new band, formed around a year ago, comes from the metal scene and used their performance to focus heavily on audience interaction.
Lead screamer Ross Sinclair said the band deliberately opened their semi-final set with “Sugar Tongue” to immediately energise the crowd. “We love giving all our energy into our performances, and we see it in the crowd as well,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair described the audience response as a major part of the experience, while characterising the band’s ideal performance as “controlled chaos”. He also named Octobersky as a top competitor, praising their energy, crowd interaction and distinctive style.
The first semi-final was less about the result and more about the opportunity itself for Undercard. Jeremy Lacob, lead guitarist and second-year BSc (Geo-informatics) student, described reaching the semi-finals as a form of validation in an environment where musicians can often experience imposter syndrome.
“You often think you’re not good enough to be a musician or play venues,” Lacob said. Being selected for the next round, he added, was “a very nice feeling”.
The band’s DIY approach is central to its identity, combining pop-punk with influences from metal, indie and other genres. “We play pop-punk with breakdowns,” said Marceline Moolman, bass player.
Regardless of the outcome, performing for an audience was a reward in itself for Undercard. “I think that’s more important to us: the fact that we get to just have fun with a bunch of people,” Moolman said.
We’re Alright takes the stage during the second Battle of the Bands semi-final at Aandklas Stellenbosch on 22 August. Photo: Anel Calitz
The significance of the competition extends beyond the performers. Audience member Zoë Leah Bannister, who attended both a heat and the semi-finals, said this year’s event offered greater musical variety than previous years. “It’s not just rock and metal anymore,” she said, noting that the competition allows audiences to discover styles they might not otherwise encounter.
Bannister said the most significant part of the semi-finals was the sense of community created around the music. “Just seeing people come together,” she said. “I think that’s my favourite part about all of these nights, just the community.”
The semi-finals may have narrowed the competition to four, but the experience has already shown that Battle of the Bands is about more than finding a winner. It is about recognition, experimentation, connection and giving local musicians a stage to be heard.
