Grooveshark, the local startup music website that became one of Time Magazine’s top 50 sites of 2010, went back to its roots Saturday when it hosted its first official Battle of the Bands at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza.
About 150 people came out to the free event, which was sponsored by UF Student Government, Florida Blue Key and the City of Gainesville, to drink, dance and discover new music.
The event raised more than $1,000 in donations for the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County.
“It’s cool to see the Boys & Girls Club getting involved with a company like Grooveshark,” said Keith Blanchard, CEO of the county branch. “All the money is going to a great cause.”
Before any bands took the stage, City Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa read aloud a proclamation written by Mayor Craig Lowe naming Saturday a citywide Boys & Girls Club Day.
Levek, the first band to perform, used a wide variety of instruments, including ukeleles, pan flutes, keyboards, guitars and lots of percussion, while Waylon Thornton and the Heavy Hands got people dancing to their stripped-down brand of southern blues rock.
As twilight fell, Plastic Plastic entertained the audience with their experimental brand of sound.
Kadets, a pop-punk group, switched things up with their emphasis on uptempo rhythms and catchy choruses.
J2K topped off the night with their funky and atmospheric jamming.
Bailey Williams, 25, said her favorite performance of the night was from Levek because of the sheer variety of talent among the seven members.
“I feel like that’s a different level of music,” she said.
In the end, Plastic Plastic won over the judges.
Their first-place finish came with a free promotional deal from Grooveshark and bragging rights as the first champions.
“It feels good,” said Andrew Simler, a guitarist for the group. “But, more importantly, I’m happy we got to play at an amazing community event, for a great cause.”
