Screamo vocals and faultless vulnerability: Battle of the Bands builds up further anticipation with Heat Three

Copper Rooms 2, University of Warwick Campus, 5 February 2026 

We return once again to Copper Rooms 2 to witness Heat Three of Battle of the Bands! Following the trend, there were two last-minute dropouts: Morning After and Replicants. Yet the remaining four bands more than made up for their absences, performing to the best of their abilities to gain a place in the all-important final. 

First up was The Boys Want Cars, initially consisting of four guitarists and a drummer, with the introduction of a saxophonist and keyboardist later on in their set. Brows furrowed in deep concentration, the band emitted sounds reminiscent of Billy Idol’s ‘Dancing With Myself’ and Pulp’s ‘Common People’. Originally starting as a project of home recordings, guitarist and vocalist Matt confides that BandSoc provided the perfect opportunity to bring his music to the stage, utilising his previous experience performing live. The band seem to have taken inspiration from a multitude of sources, such as 80s and 90s indie guitar pop, the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fanclub receiving honourable mentions, as well as standouts from the 60s such as The Beatles and The Who. Matt claims that he intends for their music to be “pop-y but at the same time have a bigger soundscape”: a seemingly small band yet with big ambitions.  

We came second in the whole competition last year, so we’re hoping for a win this year

Lori Barsellotti

Next was Ferrux, a familiar face to the loyal follows of Battle of the Bands. Also performing at Warwick’s upcoming 46th Real Ale Festival, their talent was undeniable, performing death metal with unparalleled passion. Demonic voices emanated from the Copper Rooms, contrary to the usual pop sound, and ricocheted through the audience; enough to send DJ Dave into a fit of frenzy had he witnessed the incredible show. Lead vocalist Lori claims “we came second in the whole competition last year, so we’re hoping for a win this year”. Whilst nothing is guaranteed, the band certainly put up a fair fight, Lori bounding over the barricades, becoming engrossed amongst the crowd and even receiving a piggyback from an avid supporter. Circle pits were formed and vocal cords were stretched to their limit, a perfect paradox of Warwick’s stiff and stubborn reputation.

Moving onto Infodump – a four-piece band able to produce a highly polished set. It is evident that this band is a passion project, with bassist Jupiter proudly baring handcrafted merchandise. In harmony with lead vocalist Theo, the band provided a welcome respite from the previous head-splitting sound of Ferrux and instead offered vulnerable lyricism and bewitching melodies that effortlessly worked their way into the audience’s memory. Lyrics “I don’t regret it and I hope you understand” echoed across the crowd, a song comparable to those amongst Bears In Trees and Cavetown’s discographies. The standout song was ‘How To Talk Like A Man’, a ballad about the struggles of being transgender, clearly evoking emotion within members of the crowd. Infodump’s ability to captivate and hold the crowd’s attention was admirable considering the poignant change in musical direction compared to that of the previous bands; their excitement and anticipation were infectious.

This band of extroverts produced an epilepsy of sound, the lead vocalist vaulting over the barricade with a concerning amount of ease and familiarity

We were then whiplashed by Born In April, who could perhaps be considered the energetic pinnacle of the night. There were not only one but two shirtless band members, one in a pair of micro denim shorts, whilst the other proudly bore leopard fur speedos, an unforeseen sight. This band of extroverts produced an epilepsy of sound, the lead vocalist vaulting over the barricade with a concerning amount of ease and familiarity. It is clear that this band don’t care for the limitations or conventions of typical music performance, rounding off their set by wrecking their drum kit and screaming “We are Born In April, remember the fucking name!”. 

After a short intermission and on that bizarre note, BandSoc’s President, Onur, emerges with the results. Ferrux placed in 1st, which seemed to come as no surprise to the onlookers. Infodump secured 2nd, gaining themselves a place in the semi-finals, and The Boys Want Cars placed 3rd. All in all, no matter the genre or style of their music, it is undeniable that all the bands’ performances were equal in passion and brilliance, leaving us all in anticipation for the future of the competition.