The Inaugural Battle of the Bands

St John's College hosted its first-ever Battle of the Bands on Saturday, 20 September 2025, bringing together talented young musicians from schools across Johannesburg for an afternoon and evening of live contemporary music. Held in the Rene England Auditorium, the event provided a platform for emerging artists to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and passion for live music, offering the audience the chance to see tomorrow’s music legends live on stage today!

The competition ran from 14h00 to 21h30 over two age group categories, culminating in close results that reflected the exceptional calibre of all performers. "Every band played incredibly well, and the final points were very close. Each of these bands is in the top five of the initial entries, and they deserve all credit for making this event a success," said Jonathan Thorburn, Head of Contemporary Music at St John's College.

In the Prep (junior) division, Amped Up! from St Peter's Girls' Preparatory brought energy and creative choreography to the stage, winning first place and a professional recording session at AsAbove Studios. Second place went to The Cactus Quills from St John's Preparatory, who delivered tight, engaging riffs with a confident stage presence, while third place was awarded to Contagious from Pridwin, whose spirited performance impressed. Special recognition went to St Peter’s Girls’ Preparatory for Best Original Track with “Ocean,” while Jan Rock from Jan Cilliers received Best Poster.

The College (senior) division was packed with talent. Class Action from Rand Park High School claimed first place and a recording session, presenting a lively set full of precise harmonies and energy. Overdrive from Steyn City School impressed with a focused, animated performance in second, while Peak from St John's College delivered a polished, confident set to take third. The Sunday Nights from Beaulieu College received the Best Original Track award for “Inner Voice,” offering a heartfelt performance that resonated with the audience.

The event was judged by a panel of respected music industry professionals, including Michael Bower, Executive Producer, 5FM Mid Mornings, Catherine Grenfell, former SAMA Judge, Jina Min, Senior Manager, Empire Africa, Alana Britz, Social Media Manager for Wacken Metal Battle and Emalyth Events, Buhrmann Steenkamp, Senior Examiner at RSL Rock School South Africa, Robyn Norris, Sound Engineer at AsAbove Studios, and Ashley Gaisford, Independent Sound Engineer.

Michael Bower said he was “completely blown away by the talent. The students brought passion and energy to every performance.” Catherine Grenfell added that she was struck not just by skill but by “the heart behind it.” Jina Min noted that the performances rivalled those of seasoned artists, showing that South Africa’s musical future is in capable hands.

Guest performances from THE THR3 PROJ3CT, Crash and the Void, and Steve Umculo added extra energy to the evening. Students from the competing bands joined him on stage, creating a memorable finale that had the audience up on their feet. Beyond the competition, every band received professional feedback from the judges. Event organiser Sash Northey said, "This event is about growth and encouragement. We hope the feedback motivates each band to keep performing and developing as musicians."

Generous support from AsAbove Studios, Marshall Music, RSL Rock School South Africa, and JDKustoms made the event possible, while food and merch stalls created a lively festival atmosphere, highlighting the connection between music and community.

“The students in both the Junior and Senior divisions played remarkably well, and the competition was intense. The event gave them the chance to perform in front of a live audience, receive feedback from industry experts, and develop their skills as contemporary musicians. We’re already looking forward to an even stronger competition in 2026,” said Thorburn.