The city’s Battle of the Bands – a contest between Irvine teens that doubles as a fundraiser – returned this spring after a five-year break because of the pandemic.

The event has been organized by the High School Youth Action Team since the 1990s, says Steve Knollmiller, the city of Irvine’s Community Services supervisor for high school youth outreach. Some now-famous musicians participated between 2005 and 2007, including The Jakes, who later became Young the Giant.

“It’s nice to actually have a Battle of the Bands again,” Knollmiller says. “This one is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. For the past 21 years, the High School Youth Action Team has also participated in an event called Relay for Life, which is the No. 1 fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. We are using this event as a way to fundraise for our Relay for Life team.”

Heritage Park Community Center’s multipurpose room was filled with music from bands ranging in styles from progressive metal to ’90s grunge. Snacks and activities doubled as fundraisers, and teens and parents danced along to each set.

Six bands – Pelargoniums, Eastla, 25 After Midnight, Groundwire, Chaos Theory and the winner, Head Wide Open – had up to 25 minutes to perform a mix of popular covers and original songs.

Knollmiller said the judges’ votes for Head Wide Open were unanimous, with high marks in crowd response, stage presence, musical talent and originality. Members of the winning band are Ben Agran (guitar, bass and vocals), Deven Dhanidina (guitar and bass), Christian Liang (guitar and bass) and Connor Paxton (drums).

The charismatic band had the audience – which included Mayor Larry Agran watching his grandson – fully engaged and dancing as they performed songs by Pearl Jam and Sublime, along with originals they wrote. Head Wide Open’s prize is to perform at Great Park Live on May 3 and on KUCI 88.9 FM radio this summer.

“I’m still processing it right now,” Ben Agran says. “I want to make sure that we take advantage of every opportunity that’s presented to us because this is such a big deal.”