Ten school bands battled it out in the final of the St John’s College Battle of the Bands at Sognage in Strydom Park on September 19.

Now, in its second year, the competition drew 29 entries – seven in the junior division and 22 in the senior division. Five bands from each division came through the earlier rounds to reach the final.

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There, they played in front of seven industry judges and shared the bill with Hiraeth, Canvyr, and Crash and the Void – three working rock bands off the Gauteng circuit.

The Cactus Quills, from St John’s Preparatory School, won the junior division, with High Voltage, from School of Rock, coming second and Strangers, from Kyalami Preparatory School, coming third. In the senior division, Wiretap, from St John’s College, took the top spot, followed by The Treble Makers, from Kingsmead College, in second, and The Removed, from St John’s College, in third.

The judging panel was made up of Michael Bower, producer at 5FM, Alana Britz, promoter at Emalyth Events, Marty du Plessis, musician and music scene content creator, Catherine Grenfell, DJ, Robin Norris, sound engineer at As Above Studios, Marius Schutte, music teacher and musician in Crash and the Void, and Buhrmann Steenkamp, of School of Rock.

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The judges were impressed by the standard in both divisions. They singled out the musicianship, songwriting, arrangements, and stagecraft, and the way the bands held the crowd – with many already showing a musical identity of their own.

There were awards beyond the podium, too. The Pridwin Rock Band, from Pridwin Preparatory School, won Junior Best Original Track, and Perennia, from St David’s Marist Inanda, won the Senior Best Original Track. Fusion, from St John’s Preparatory School, took Junior Best Poster, and The Removed picked up Senior Best Poster to round off a big afternoon for them.

“The St John’s College Battle of the Bands celebrates creativity, originality, and musical excellence by offering students a platform to showcase their passion and performance skills,” said Jonathan Thorburn, head of contemporary music at St John’s College.

“This friendly competition gives emerging artists valuable exposure, the chance to perform live, and the opportunity to receive feedback from industry professionals.”

From bedrooms and school rehearsal rooms to the Sognage stage, Johannesburg’s young bands proved that the future of live music is already making plenty of noise.

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