Rock on

Two weeks ago a DJ from Owl Radio came into our newsroom to tell us about their annual Battle of the Bands concert. But this year, the station is teaming up with the Program Board – FAU’s student-funded concert committee – and bringing a Woodstock music festival feel to the daylong concert.

So this Satursday’s Battle of the Bands is FAU’s stab at Woodstock: Hootstock. No, we’re not in upstate New York and we’ve got a few hundred thousand less people, but hey, we can try.

The coolest part? They’ve asked me to be a judge.

Yeah, I may not look like a punk-rock or hippie band kinda chick, but I love music so this should be very exciting.

There will be 11 bands performing Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., all vying for the judges' votes. The winning band will get to be the opening act at Program Board’s Rock the Owl concert in fall.

And since I’m a judge, I’ve got the inside scoop on what we’re looking for. The bands will be judged on six categories: sound, voice, performance energy, interaction with the audience, audience response and overall performance. I think we even get a nifty score sheet.

After all the bands compete there will be a special performance by the Fort Lauderdale band, the Mission Veo. Then, I and my fellow judges - Paul Cohen, an Owl Radio DJ; Dan Ross, Program Board marketing director; and Joe Adams, SG student controller and former FAU Idol judge, will pick the Hootstock winner.

Be sure to bring your blanket and cooler to chill out and listen to some bands. And if one particularly strikes your fancy, be sure to come up and tell me.

Make it to the Show
What: Hootstock '08
Where: Boca campus Housing Lawn
When: Saturday, April 12, noon to 9 p.m.


The Bands:

Bell Tower Falls

Stone High

The Joyness

Man Down, Man Down

The Gist

A New Start

Lights Out

Aveo

Leading the Heroes

Leone

Meridian Sky