Stage fright is a horrid ordeal. Vulnerable and exposed, there’s little you can do to get away from the expectant audience. It takes some guts to get on stage and just rock out.

At the 2012 Battle of the Bands at the University of Auckland’s student bar Shadows, six bands (stage fright included) performed to keen crowd of students and judges. And so, with free filter coffee and five other judges, I spent an entertaining three hours hearing who’s got a handle on the beat these days. Judging was determined on technical performance, professionalism, audience appeal (or number of friends in the audience) and stage presence.

We all know how AV systems have a tendency to go on the blink, and this battle was not without. Some managed this better than others: one check-shirted vocalist nervously bit his lip to bide the time. I was impressed by The Residents clean get-up and introduction on stage - especially the high-heeled blonde bombshell in the blood-orange silk dress. Swinging her hair all over the stage, the red-lipped rocker in The Identity Slip tried to work in some attitude on stage, at times this was awkward to watch and detracted from her good vocals.

Shadows was relatively packed by the third band, and it was clear to see many had come along to support their mates. It was amusing to watch the large group of first years in the front, hyped up and super keen to see young Frank come first. The fresh faced kids of mainstream band Totalled put out some sweet pop-rock duets that were easy on the ear and eye.

Lola & the Dobros were polished and my cup of tea, and this wasn’t the first time I’d heard of this trio (NB: social media is taking over). The keyboardist looked like a cool 60’s poster girl with her glam mini dress on, and she totally pulled it off with her cheeky smile. I was jealous. And their Mumford & Sons cover just made me want to dance. Instrumental jam band the Two Dollar Beanie didn’t quite fit the youthful line-up and the delays to get on stage didn’t work well with the audience’s short attention span. However, they ranked highly for technical precision and their second jam of jazz-fusion was well-received by my ears.

Troubled Frank. The band name in itself sold it for me, as did the lanky vocalist and his Beatle-esque fringe. Drummer Nick Prussing is one to watch, his skill and confidence reigned in the band to ensure a tight performance. This youthful grunge band from out west should keep their friend Frank rocking. They came in a close second, in part due to the off-putting ‘rent-a-crowd’ in the last song.

With only a month of practice, The Residents put on quite the performance and successfully squashed eight on the small stage. The percussionist deserves a special mention, and he won the band that bonus point. With jazz and pop influences apparent, you could tell the lead vocalist was inspired by Kimbra and Adele, and some singing lessons and a few more months playing together won’t go amiss for this delightful fresh band.

The battle was bloodless, and the decision a close one between Troubled Frank and The Residents. The latter taking the cake with their genuine audience appeal and the ability to collaborate so many on stage. Stage fright is never as bad the second time round.

By Olivia Young