BATTLE OF THE BANDS: THREE RISE TO THE TOP

Megan Grobler

@megan.gro_bler

 

The annual Battle of the Bands competition wrapped up on 13 October with a high-energy Finals Night, announcing the three winning acts that stood out after weeks of fierce musical battles. This year marked a new chapter for the event, hosted for the first time by Music Café (Musics) following the closure of the beloved Bourbon Street nightclub and restaurant. The semi-finals took place on 6 October, leading to a climactic finale on 13 October that showcased some of the best up-and-coming talent.

 

Third place went to Stopstraat, an Afrikaans rock band made up of a lead singer, two guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer. Their energetic setlist featured grunge and alternative rock tracks like “Creep” by Radiohead, pop-rock hits such as Olivia Rodrigo’s “vampire” and “good 4 u,” along with a few unreleased original Afrikaans rock songs. Stopstraat received a R2,000 cash prize, a R500 Music Café voucher, plus a pizza and two drinks of their choice per band member.

 

Kerkstraat, an Afrikaans indie rock band, secured second place. The group consists of a lead singer/guitarist, drummer, lead guitarist, and bassist. Their performance included a mix of grunge and alternative rock, featuring “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, Afrikaans rock staples like “Toe Vind Ek Jou” by Francois van Coke and Karen Zoid, and a selection of both released and unreleased original songs. Kerkstraat earned a R3,000 cash prize, along with a R500 Music Café voucher, pizza, and drinks for each member.

 

The winners of the night were Perspektief, an Afrikaans rock band featuring two lead vocalists (one of whom also plays rhythm guitar), a bassist, pianist/clarinettist, lead guitarist, and drummer. Their diverse set thrilled the audience with rock covers of Adele’s “Rumour Has It” and “Someone Like You,” reggae-infused hits like “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, and Afrikaans rock songs by the band Spoegwolf. Perspektief took home the R5,000 grand prize, the usual Music Café voucher, pizza, and drinks, and will also open one of Music Café’s biggest events of the year — Dorpie Dans.

 

Allocated parking will be available in the field across from Music Café, with extra seating created by barriers in front of the venue. From midnight, the night transitions into the usual late-night atmosphere, featuring karaoke competitions and additional prizes.

 

It promises to be a night of live entertainment, great food, and unforgettable music — a fitting celebration for the competition’s talented winners and local music lovers alike.

 

 

Edited by Simoné de Witt