Rock & Roll Rumble Recap: Prelims, Part 2

Another Rock & Roll Rumble recap: three more nights of rock at the Middle East Upstairs, and now the Semifinals are set.

If you missed Part 1 of my Rumble recap, you can get caught up on that here.  As I wrote last week, for over a decade, Boston DJ and Boston Emissions host Anngelle Wood has been the producer of the Rock & Roll Rumble. Anngelle is a friend and a colleague and has done an outstanding job over the years of curating the Rumble, striking the perfect balance of honoring the event’s rich history and moving it forward.

Since my debut at WBCN 20 years ago in 2003, I've attended every single Rumble in some way, shape, or form. Most years, I end up volunteering as a judge. This year, my schedule allowed me to take in five of the six preliminary nights as a spectator. That's a whopping 20 of the 24 bands from this year's field. I'm happy to report that the vast majority of them brought their best to the stage at the Middle East Up. It was energizing and encouraging to see so much great local rock, not just from Boston, but from the surrounding cities.

The Night Four winner was Ruin The Nite, with their sharp blue blazers and horn section. Mod-pop trio The Chelsea Curve took Night Five. And Night Six went to Lowell's own Wildcat Slim. Those three bands enter the winner's circle with Night One victor Kooked Out, Night Two's winner Not Bad Not Good, and One Fall, who took Night Three. Those six bands will be joined by Wildcard acts Bird Language and Tysk Tysk Task for the Semifinal round.

The Semis take place on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 at Sonia in Cambridge. You can get tickets here. Also, on Friday, April 21, Active Bystander Training is being held at Zuzu in Cambridge. More details on that below.

https://rock929rocks.com/galleries/rock-roll-rumble-recap-prelims-part-1/