USF’s local bands add life and character to the campus in ways that make USF special. ORACLE GRAPHIC/THOMAS MARRS

One of the greatest things about USF is the on-campus bands. 

Whenever I walk outside at night, hearing them practice atop the Crescent Hill Garage always brings a smile to my face.

It’s always a great time whenever there’s a music performance on campus. 

Whether I’m vibing to a slow song or dancing to something hyper, I’m always meeting new people and making new memories. 

Every band that contributes to the music scene at USF makes the campus feel alive and makes me proud to be a USF student.

Whether that be Broken Windows, Beyond Chaotic or Ask Me Later, attending their shows is always a fun time that every USF student should experience. 

I’ve seen all of these bands perform both on and off campus, and I love the energy and vibes that their music brings. 

I even made new friends and connections at these concerts they put on, which wouldn’t exist without them.

And with the upcoming Battle of the Bands event this March 27, on-campus bands will be louder and prouder than ever. 

USF bands provide many opportunities for students to connect. By performing live, bands give students a chance to enjoy music together.

Related: USF band turns on-campus garages into their stage 

As a freshman student coming onto campus last summer, I was looking for places to find community.

The music scene, especially the Rock Music Club at USF, helped me by providing a space for people who love rock music to socialize.

The club was founded in summer 2024 and has over 171 members on Bullsconnect and 980 followers on Instagram. 

Since its founding, the club has organized events for students to meet and hosted shows for bands to perform at. 

The club has been a vital part of USF’s rock scene —  if the bands are the lifeblood, then the club is the heart that spreads the word and brings people together. 

Eduard Beloiu is a junior electrical engineering major and the Rock Music Club community manager.

Beloiu said that the best part of being in the club has been creating an atmosphere for students to enjoy themselves. 

“Meeting a lot of new people, that’s definitely the best part of it,” said Beloiu. “Also, seeing just the scale of the shows that we’ve been putting on.” 

One of the club’s most recent events was a free concert in front of the Marshall Student Center — with bands I Broken Windows, Beyond Chaotic, and Ask Me Later all performing. 

There were dozens of people all dancing and vibing, and it has become one of my favorite memories on campus.

Briana Prieto is a senior biomedical sciences major and the Rock Music Club president.

Prieto said she loves seeing the community the club creates for students. 

“Creating atmospheres with not only the meetings, but the shows that we put on,” Prieto said. “The shows have student bands performing at them, so it also gives them a space to enjoy music.”

Carson Embree is a junior entrepreneurship major and the Rock Music Club special events coordinator. 

Embree said the club has had a great impact on the music scene on campus. 

“[The club] has grown so much, and that just shows how much a communal effort at school can really bring something together,” Embree said.

Related: OPINION: USF and Tampa music scenes need more female representation 

The club members’ passion and collaboration with USF bands create an amazing and welcoming environment for all students. 

That’s why I’m looking forward to USF’s upcoming Battle of the Bands — and you should be too. 

Battle of the Bands is an official USF event, not affiliated with the Rock Music Club, in which campus bands compete against each other every year. 

The winner of the competition gets to perform at the Bullstock Music Festival, USF’s annual music festival hosted during USF Week, according to the Center for Student Involvement.

Having the chance to perform at Bullstock makes Battle of the Bands a great chance for publicity. 

Embree is the singer and guitarist for the band Ask Me Later — which is set to perform at the Battle of the Bands.

Last year, Battle of the Bands had 11 bands perform, which is more than I’ve seen on campus so far.

Battle of the Bands is a can’t-miss event that I’ll definitely be showing up to.

The music scene at USF is a vital part of campus. Without on-campus bands, USF wouldn’t be as alive as it is now.