Camille Stites, Barefoot Preachers, Brooke Michelle and Martin Leon stepped onto the Student Activity Center Ballroom stage on Tuesday night, each aiming to win over the crowd.
The four student bands went head-to-head during the Campus Events and Entertainment Headliners Battle of the Bands, each performing 35-minute sets in hopes of earning a spot at UT’s Forty Acres Fest. As the night unfolded, the audience played a key role in the competition, casting their votes to determine the winner.
“For students, it’s an opportunity to see new bands and experience new music,” said Peyton Wade, psychology sophomore and chair of UT’s Headliners committee. “But a lot of what we do is give student bands a platform to expand their reach and audience.”
Eleanor Bangle, public relations junior and lead vocalist for Barefoot Preachers, said that while the process is demanding, the payoff makes it all worthwhile.
“It’s very rewarding when we get to play live because we work so hard for it and a lot of time into it,” Bangle said. “When we get to show everyone else, it’s really validating to hear that we’re doing a good job.”
Griffin Decker, an economics junior and guitarist for Barefoot Preachers, said preparing for the competition proves a time commitment.
“Talent is one thing, but having a cohesive sound with six different people is super tough,” Decker said. “It takes up a lot of your life, especially as a student working a job too.”
By the end of the night, the audience crowned Camille Stites, government and economics sophomore, the winner. A self-taught musician since childhood, Stites said she draws inspiration from legends like Freddie Mercury and Amy Winehouse. Her set blended original songs with covers of Don Henley and Linda Ronstadt.
“Just because (art) is so subjective, people doubt themselves all the time,” Stites said. “It doesn’t matter how good you are, it’s just one of those things that comes along with something so beautiful.”
Stites said the inspiration behind her music stems from connection.
“The only thing I want to do in this world is help and connect with people,” she said. “Music is hands down the most raw and beautiful way to do that.”
Nalayna Limones, a psychology sophomore and attendee, said witnessing the musicians’ energy and passion firsthand made the experience even more impactful.
“There’s a big difference between listening to the music on Spotify through earbuds and seeing it in person,” Limones said. “They’re actually performing. They’re dancing. You’ve probably never seen their faces before this, and it’s just so real. I love that.”
