This Friday, May 19, is our annual “Battle of the Bands.” Probably 500 kids and young adults will descend on Anchor. After music practice on Thursday night, we’ll clear all of our musical instruments and equipment from the platform, and stack up all of the chairs in the sanctuary and shove them against the wall.

I think I can guarantee that nothing like the Battle of the Bands occurs in any other UB church. We’ll have a dozen “hard-core” bands competing for free studio time. Each will have 15 minutes to do their best stuff, and four judges will evaluate them by a number of criteria, from musical proficiency to crowd reaction.

The lyrics…well, it’s mostly shouting. A few actual words leak out, but you’ve got to be listening pretty close. The dress code is basically black. Tattoos, black T-shirts with a band’s logo (and sometimes cuss words), interesting hair, multiple piercings, lots of kids smoking outside. The center of the sanctuary will clear out and become a mosh pit. No seating. Everyone stands throughout. A couple rent-a-cops will patrol the area.

I’ll be there, and Pam will be taking money at the door. This will be our fourth Battle of the Bands. If you’re in the area Friday night, stop by. Doors open at 6 pm. It’ll be a unique experience. Bring your own ear plugs, because I’m not sharing mine.