The annual rendition of Battle of the Bands occurred on January 31st inside the PMHS auditorium from 8:00 to 10:00. Tickets were 10 dollars a person to see some of Pelham’s most passionate emerging bands. The event saw 15 acts from all grades performing various genres. The Battle of the Bands brings the high school community together but also raises funds for the school-wide Student Government, funds that go to other school events in the future. This year’s performance lived up to every Battle of the Bands before and further connected the parents and students through music. 

The Battle of the Bands has been a staple of Pelham Memorial High School tradition since its first installment, and its value has never diminished. Its yearly convention allows newcomers to show off their talent. This year, Static Youth, an all freshman band, was seen playing covers of classic rock. Their drummer, Tanner Hughes, recounts his first Battle of the Bands, “It was terrifying to go first, but once we were up there, it felt great. I’m looking forward to performing more in the future.“ The Battle of the Bands is the launching point for many students’ musical interests. For Tanner, Battle of the Bands exposes him to other performing opportunities in the future. Battle of the Bands also has musicians coming back every year to play. Theo Romaniuk, bassist from The Delay, on his experiences as a performer through the years, “It’s a great event that gives students a chance to perform in front of a crowd and I’ve learned a lot from playing the last four years.” Theo has participated in every Battle of the Bands in his high school career and through that journey he and his bandmates have learned a lot about each other and themselves. Battle of the Bands welcomes an environment for all high school students to showcase their musical talents. 

The profit from Battle of the Bands goes toward the school-wide Student Government. The Student Government works and funds events like the Olympics, the Winter Formal, and future Battle of the Bands. The student government is a big reason PMHS has such a welcoming environment. Their foundation, with these events, works to create a communal environment within PMHS and keep long-lasting traditions going. 

This year, many genres were played, such as classic rock, metal rock, folk, contemporary alternative rock, and other subgenres. The variety of music played gave everyone in the crowd something to look forward to and showcased the uniqueness of every band. The Battle of the Bands has been a hallmark of PMHS culture and will continue to be because of its inclusivity and passion for music.