Pictured Cherry Limeade
Recap by Stephanie Engs, Director of Education and Community Engagement
KXCI took part in another kind of celebration, one that felt just as electric but in a completely different way. The 3rd Annual High School Battle of the Bands brought together five high school bands from across Southern Arizona on Sunday, March 29th, at Reid Park.
Each group stepped onto the stage with original songs and a palpable excitement and anticipation for their performance. From Wyatt J. & Feer to Cherry Limeade, Florence Boulevard, Jaime Q, and Spruce Goose, every performance carried its own energy, its own story. They left it all on stage.
As one of the judges, alongside four others, including members of last year’s winning band Faces in Motion and local Tucson Spotlight Journalist and Groundworks Board Member Topaz Servellon, I had a front row seat to the creativity and courage of young artists in our community. Listen back to Faces in Motion’s live performance and interview with KXCI Youth Broadcaster Grace.
For the first two bands, Wyatt J. & Feer and Cherry Limeade, the day marked their first-ever live performances, a milestone in itself. Wyatt J. & Feer opened with hip-hop stylings that brought a fresh, unexpected sound to the stage, expanding the competition’s musical landscape from the start. Cherry Limeade followed, sharing an original song alongside a cover of Nirvana’s “Lithium,” priming the crowd for the many more crowd-favorite sets that would unfold throughout the day.
One of the most memorable moments came when Florence Boulevard returned to the competition and joyfully accepted the Audience Award, a full-circle moment that the crowd clearly felt, too. Meanwhile, the Judges’ Choice award went to Jaime Q, whose performance stood out for its confidence and clarity.
What struck me most, though, was the sense of community forming in real time. Earlier in the day, three members of Jaime Q had already taken the stage as part of another band, Spruce Goose. It was a reminder that this scene is always growing, overlapping, and deeply connected, local music actively taking shape through these young artists.
We’re excited to keep that momentum going. Both winning bands will be featured on Locals Only as part of their prize, bringing their sound from the stage to the airwaves. These are the days that stay with you. We’ll be sure to let you know when to tune in.
