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Yardfest is a beloved Harvard tradition and one of the largest events put on each year by the Harvard College Events Board. The annual spring concert, though headlined by a hired musical artist, offers two opening spots to student acts.
These acts are decided by Battle for Yardfest, a “battle of the bands” competition where a student vote decides one slot while a panel of judges vote decides the other. This year, Battle for Yardfest was held on Feb. 29 and featured ten hopefuls. The result was an evening of live music, entertainment, and overall good cheer spent celebrating students’ musical talents.
Though it is known that Harvard undergraduates possess a wide range of impressive hobbies, these are not often put on display in as centralized a way as in Battle for Yardfest. The event provides a unique opportunity to view one’s fellow students in a different light — to watch as a suitemate, friend, or classmate transforms on stage.
Nur S. Kader ’24 commented on the experience of spectating, saying, “It was cool to see the diversity of artist talent at Harvard because it’s not really what our school is perhaps known for. It’s just cool to see how students pursue this, and I’m glad they get to have a platform to showcase their art.”
From the other side, Battle for Yardfest also gives musically-inclined students a chance to come together and perform for an audience of their peers. The evening spotlighted a range of acts, from solo artists like Sanjna and Dexter Suhn to 13-person groups like Primal Screamers. Though many setlists were dominated by high energy rock choices, performers’ musical backgrounds included jazz, classical, pop, rap, DJing, and more.
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Of course, the evening needed facilitators, a role happily filled by emcees Ryan F. Irving ’27 and Elson Bankoff ’27. Transitions between musical acts were aided by comedic bits and audience-engaging activities, including a gummy bear-catching competition.
“We laughed. We cried. We roasted each other. We sang. We rapped. And we hosted, at the end of the day,” Irving said, summing up the night.
Once the night was over, the audience and performers alike were not kept in suspense for long: Voting results were quickly announced. This year’s audience-voted winner was music group Beacon Street. The other Yardfest opening slot was awarded to band Boom Boom Sauce, selected as the judge’s choice.
Spirits were high among the winning groups as they cheered from their seats in the Sanders Theatre stands.
“It was a wonderful time. It was fun, playing with my best friends and also my colleagues. I’m looking forward to Yardfest — I can’t wait to see who the CEB picks [as the headliner],” Boom Boom Sauce guitarist Jack H. Meyer ’25 said.
Yardfest is set to take place on April 7 in Tercentenary Theatre, sponsored by CEB. The event’s professional headliner has not yet been announced.
—Staff writer Julia Hynek can be reached at julia.hynek@thecrimson.com.
