Every year, Provo’s very own Velour hosts Battle of The Bands in the Summer and Winter. This year, Soundscript had the honor of attending and covering finals for the 2025 Winter Battle of The Bands. This year’s finalists included Cougar Gold Music, Breakfast Biscuit, Allo Monroe, Hatchback, and Dogpaw, the previous winners of the battles throughout the week. Come with us as we cover finals night at Velour.
By the time I arrived at the venue, about half an hour before doors were set to open, the line to get into the venue was already down the block. It was full of excited fans who had come to support some of their favorite local acts, in hopes that their band would take home the win. A half hour after doors opened, there were still many eager fans waiting down the block and music was about ready to start.
Our first performers of the evening immediately set the tone for the entire event. Cougar Gold Music took the stage with high energy, which felt like a very fitting and strategic way to start the evening. The band performed a rockabilly style of music and I feel that they capture that genre very well. Cougar Gold Music’s lead vocalist has just the right tone and style for this genre. Something I really loved about this performance were the solos by both the saxophonist and bassist. While I’m sure there were some nerves going into this performance, especially having a substitute drummer for the evening, the band performed very well and I look forward to seeing them again.
Next to the stage was a band called Breakfast Biscuit. This set was a really fun one to experience. While parts of their set were slower tempowise, they managed to keep the energy in the venue alive and well. They really understood how to captivate a crowd. The boys had some of my favorite harmonies of the night and their vocals were beautiful. During one of their more high energy songs, they split the crowd in two and had a competition of who could be the loudest and at the end had the audience run back together and mosh. By the end of their set, they had played both new and old songs that captivated the crowd through the entire set. They ended off by smashing a guitar on the stage and passing the pieces out to members of the crowd. Breakfast Biscuit really knows how to end things with a bang.
Immediately following the Breakfast Biscuit boys was a band by the name of Allo Monroe. This alternative rock band possesses a certain x-factor that not many bands that have only been releasing music for a year have. Allo Monroe has an overwhelming stage presence that you can’t help but lock in on. The performers on stage spent the whole set smiling and jumping, it was almost impossible to not move with them. Allo Monroe took a risk by playing a fair bit of unreleased music at Battle of The Bands which is always risky, but I think they handled it perfectly and it actually helped build excitement from the audience. The band has a chemistry that you can feel from the moment they take the stage and you can’t help but to root for them. Overall, Allo Monroe put on a very good performance and I do believe anyone who didn’t know them before will likely be a fan now.
Towards the end of the evening we were introduced to the band Hatchback. This band had the most different sound of the night and it was a really cool, exciting change of pace. The folk and bluegrass band made the stage their own. Each member stood in a straight line, everyone on equal standing. Unlike the other bands tonight, Hatchback had no drummer, but did add our only banjo into the mix. In no time at all, this band showed us that they truly deserved their place in the finals, with their beautiful four part harmonies and song writing abilities, Hatchback quickly charmed the audience. Their music has so much heart and soul, it is a treat to be able to listen to it live. The audience at the Velour was fully listening and invested in Hatchback’s music throughout the entire set. The genre shift was something I think the crowd needed in order to keep energy as high as it was all night. Everyone was shocked as the music started and couldn’t get enough of this incredible folk group.
It was finally time for the last band of the night to fight for the win. Fans of the band Dogpaw barked until their favorite band took the stage. I feel that Dogpaw was a really balanced mix of all the good in the other bands. They owned their genre, they had beautiful stage presence, and they connected with their fans and each other in a really amazing way. After seeing them live, I had expected Dogpaw to have many releases, but as it turns out, they only have one, Willow. This actually shows how dedicated of a fanbase they have though, as their fans seemed to know the songs that were being played throughout the set. Something different we saw from Dogpaw that we hadn’t was switching off who took lead vocals for each song, they also switched from bass to guitar. I found this really interesting and it was able to add more variety to the band’s set without switching up their style. Dogpaw may have been the kings of showmanship tonight. From their lead guitarist jumping down into the crowd to their drummer playing a full song blindfolded. These stunts allowed for the energy and excitement to stay all the way to a ten their whole set.
I feel so fortunate to be able to attend such an incredible event. Not only does it give an opportunity to highlight so many incredible local acts, but it also isn’t restricted by genre. All in the same night, fans were able to experience music all the way from rockabilly to indie to folk to rock. Each night of the event had multiple genres performing and competing against one another, so it’s a testament to how unbiased by genre the judges were that we were still able to have multiple genres make it to finals. It truly was anyone’s game.
The venue was electric as we waited for the results of the night. The staff at The Velour were prepared to entertain the masses as we waited, so we had a dance party. I really loved that part. You could see everyone smiling and dancing together, and see the bands all complimenting and supporting each other. It really highlights the way the Utah Music scene is, full of love and support.
At long last it was time for the results. Who would be this year’s Winter Battle of The Bands winners? The tension and anxieties in the room were at an all time high as the announcer took the stage. The venue was the quietest I had ever heard it. They flipped open the card and announced Dogpaw as the winners. The room exploded into cheers from both fans as well as the other bands. Dogpaw took the stage and thanked their fans with the biggest smiles on their faces. After the performance they put on this evening, this was a truly deserved win.
We at Soundscript want to congratulate all of the bands who performed this week and all of the bands who played their hearts out to get to finals. The boys of Dogpaw, if you’re reading this, you worked hard for this win and you deserve it, we can’t wait to keep up with you in the future. Events like these help keep the local music scene thriving, so thank you to The Velour for housing these shows and helping give people access to live and local music. To the reader, don’t be afraid to get out there and support your local music scene whenever you can. Thank you for coming with us tonight. Until next time.
Photos and Review By Jaye Short
Sound Script 
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