KSU students crowd around the Austin Residence Complex amphitheater to watch Battle of the Bands round two. October 7th, 2025. Photo Credit: Ana Sofia
On Oct. 7, Owl Radio and the Kennesaw State Musicians Union teamed up to deliver the second round of “The Battle of the Bands”.
This concert serves as a crucial live event in the fresh wake of Owl Radio’s reformation earlier this semester.
Taking elements from the well-known implementation of the traditional “Battle of the Bands” format, the event relied on votes being cast from viewers to select the best performance out of a setlist of music acts.
Since only one band from this round could move onto the final battle in late October, maximum effort from all musicians involved was expected and displayed.
The winner of the final round will earn $500 to spend on music equipment, as well as a spot to perform in Kennesaw State’s end-of-year spring festival.
This series of musical battles prioritizes local bands and artists, kickstarting many promising musicians who have the opportunity to appeal to large groups of people.
Platforming small and regional artists is part of the mission for both Owl Radio and the Kennesaw State Musicians Union. Their mission is to act as an integral piece of Kennesaw’s local music scene.
Joey Hawthorne, Owl Radio’s General Manager, gave context about the difference between the first and second rounds of the event.
“We had a bunch of different bands apply, so we sorted them into… similar genres so it could be more pleasing to the crowd,” Hawthorne said.
The event’s attendance far surpassed initial expectations, attracting a packed crowd inside of Kennesaw State’s ARC Amphitheater.
Located at the south end of Kennesaw’s campus, the amphitheater’s placement at the core of the Austin Residence Complex ensured exhilarating student involvement. Many ARC residents anxiously watched from their balconies as the show progressed.
Although the event started 30 minutes later than expected, the high-octane energy displayed by the bands was able to encapsulate most of the eager spectators.
Bands Siamese Puppet, Glass Edge and Death Proof performed in the second round. Each group played for approximately 15 minutes each, and they all offered a unique aesthetic and sound that was vastly different from one another.
Siamese Puppet, a self-described “goth-inspired rock” band, offered a laid-back introduction to the event as students began pouring in. This lively band has become a part of the rising Kennesaw music scene and has steadily grown through many events, such as the Battle of the Bands.
“I feel like the scene in general has been building up, so it’s really nice to be a part of that and be involved with KSU,” said Siamese Puppet guitarist Cassity Keres.
Going second in this round’s competition, Glass Edge showcased their corrosive approach to metalcore with a volatile stage presence.
After removing their shirts following the first song, moshing ensued on the platform closest to the stage. This thrash eventually culminated into a “wall of death”— a form of moshing in which audience members open a space on the floor and run into one another at full speed.
Glass Edge’s vocalist, Andrew Nava, peaked the crowd’s enthusiasm with a stage dive, and ended the band’s setlist with a sudden stop.
The third band, Death Proof, set an instant precedent upon stepping onto the stage. Armed with different masks inspired by America’s most famous horror icons, they continued the abrasive theme set by Glass Edge.
Covering iconic songs such as Alice in Chains’ “Them Bones” and Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” the band showcased concisely-performed musicianship throughout their time onstage.
The event ended on a vigorously expressive note as Death Proof ended their performance with Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name” as an encore.
For many, the connection made between artists and listeners from KSU’s newly-hosted “The Battle of the Bands” is the main appeal for supporting Kennesaw’s local music scene.
Caleb Walker, a concert-goer who attended the event, appreciated the environment.
“I really resonated with the sense of community that the performances gave, as it was nice to be surrounded by fellow students who were eager to support local music at KSU,” Walker said.
With the support of an engaged community, “The Battle of the Bands” trilogy event will conclude at KSU’s Hooty Harvest on Oct. 29. The event will be a collaboration between many of KSU’s social involvement clubs.
Other than the final round of “The Battle of the Bands,” the event will also include pumpkin painting, pumpkin smashing and a mini corn maze.
