On Feb. 13, Irvine’s Youth Action Team (YAT) will host its 20th annual Battle of the Bands contest at Heritage Park Community Center, allowing students from all four Irvine high schools and Beckman High to come together,enjoy the music of their favorite local bands and support the musicians.

“I loved last year’s show, there were lots of great performers and I had a lot of fun with my friends,” senior Ashley Mettias said.“ I am looking forward to the one this year.”

Friday’s show will be from 7 to 11 p.m. and tickets will be sold at the door with the cost of $5 for students, $6 for adults.

During the event, attendees get to meet new people in a positive atmosphere, enjoy the music of their fellow high schoolers and make some noise for their favorite bands.

“My favorite part about it is definitely the vibe of the event – everyone is there to support and to have a good time,” senior and Woodbridge YAT co-leader Alex Popovski said,“ And there is definitely an energy to the place.”

“I am stoked,” Junior Brendyn Martishius said,” I think it is going to be a great show.”

During the event, two or more bands compete for the title of “Best Band”. The winner is usually determined by the general response of the audience or the band who brings in the most people to support them. There is also a committee which decides the best performances based on the music itself, the crowd’s interaction during the concert and the presentation of the groups. The group that gets the best response from the crowd and the committee will receive a gift card of their choice.

Gemini Studios, Sonikwire Recording Studio, Tilly’s and Youth Action Team are the main sponsors of the Battle of the Bands. Representatives of Tilly’s will also be at the venue to give away free prizes to anyone who attends, including sunglasses and lanyards.

The final winners of the show will later get to compete at the Battle of the Best competition with the Akustikoff winner and all other winners from any other music competitions that take place before then.

The competition will bring forth bands to perform for larger crowds and show off their talents. The six bands, made up of mostly students from Irvine’s four high schools include Wirebox, Tella Keller, Wingdings, Tucker Page Band, Bipolar Bears and The Wonder Rats.

Thrice, a post-hard rock band played in the local battle in the late 90’s and has since released eight albums. The famous indie rock band Young the Giant has also competed from 2005 and 2007, known as “The Jake’s” at the time. Both bands were discovered during the Battle of the Bands.

“Who knows, any of these [new] bands could blow up in the next couple of years.” Popovski added.

Battle of the Bands allows each group to come forward and play their songs for 25 minutes. Using the time given, the bands will charm the people through their vocal abilities.