YardFest will feature a Harvard student band as an opening act for the first time, following the CEB’s mission of encouraging student involvement in social events on campus, according to Mauri.

“We wanted to draw more attention to YardFest by having the students participate and take ownership of the event,” Mauri said.

Friday night, the CEB hosted “Battle for YardFest,” a competition that determined which student group would perform. The CEB has hosted several “Battles” in the past.

The Nostalgics, which is composed of Harvard undergraduates, emerged victorious.

“We were totally surprised and felt pretty flattered,” band member Charles G. Gertler ’13 said. “This will be one of the biggest venues that we play in, so we are very excited.”

In preparation for YardFest, Gertler said the group is “definitely going to try to learn and write new tunes” and adapt its music for the venue.

“Our fans, if we have any, should be excited about hearing us with a really well-mixed sound system and professional sound people behind us,” Gertler said.

Formed in the spring of 2010, The Nostalgics features students from each class.

The band describes itself as “the soul of Harvard University,” according to its website.

In the fall, the Nostalgics performed at the inter-house formal at House of Blues after winning a battle of the bands contest.

—Staff writer Eliza M. Nguyen can be reached at enguyen@college.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Jane Seo can be reached at janeseo@college.harvard.edu.