Student performers filled the space within Epiphany Center for the Arts on the Near West Side to start their soundchecks ahead of the competition for a performing spot at Manifest, Columbia’s biggest end-of-semester celebration.
Biggest Mouth, the college’s annual battle of the bands competition hosted by the Student Programming Board, showcased a variety of music genres on Thursday, April 16.
Over 170 Columbia students and a handful of guests from colleges all across the state cheered on the 12 artists and bands as they took the stage.
Adam Atrix, a recent graduate in media and cinema studies at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, said he came out to support a friend.
Atrix was unaware of the prize award prior to the event, but said that the stakes made the performance more interesting.
“I’m invested even more now,” Atrix said.
The room filled with excitement as performers rushed on and off stage with 8 minute sets, shifting from soft, quiet moments to loud, high energy performances.
Four musically inclined individuals served as judges for the competition: Anya Kohlman and Raina Villareal, both Columbia College alumni; William Powell, a bass-baritone and multidisciplinary performer; and David Dolak, a professor of instruction at the college.
Powell said that after reading the portfolio of the performers, he enjoyed feeling the energy of each performance, as it gave him a chance to understand how “what is written on the page translates in real life.”
The alternative and independent rock band, Mistrophia, earned first place at the event, winning the coveted headlining spot at Manifest 2026 and $1,000.
The second and third place winners were also awarded the opportunity to perform as opening bands at Manifest, alongside a cash prize.
For the first time, there was a tie for second place between individual artists Aliejha Cullick and Shadan Rediger, so each was awarded $750. The third place winner, Xndr, was awarded $500.
Previously, winners were awarded studio time as well, but due to the tie, details are still being finalized.
Raven McCray, a senior music major and director of communications at SPB, said that auditions for Biggest Mouth last three days, and the performers are picked within that time frame.
“Biggest Mouth showcases all the student performers in the school and gives them opportunities to open for a Manifest headline” she said.
McCray notes that the anticipation for Biggest Mouth has increased, especially among applicants that wish to perform at the event.
One of the students helping welcome attendees at Biggest Mouth, Rosa Weinand, said that they were happy to see student performers shine on stage.
Weinand, who is a first-year acting for stage and screen major, said they were captivated by the high energy and “great free music.”
This post has been updated to feature the correct photo of the winning band.
Copy Edited by Samantha Mosquera
