Daniel Ketchelos — Staff writer

One of Dordt University’s largest Dordt Student Activities (DSA) events is coming back to campus. NC/DC, a battle of the bands event between Northwestern College and Dordt, is returning on Feb. 11, 2023.

NC/DC used to be a yearly event, but due to COVID-19 and scheduling issues NC/DC hasn’t occurred since the 2019 fall semester.

NC/DC consists of two rounds where rock bands from Dordt and Northwestern battle it out for the ultimate cash prizes. Dordt hosted the semi-finals in the B.J. Haan at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Northwestern will hold the final round in its Christ Chapel on Friday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m.

“We thought it would be fun to do something with another rivaling college,” Alexandra Bandstra, a junior and the student coordinator for DSA, said. “I think people are excited. People always love a good rivalry between schools, especially Northwestern since we’re so close in proximity.”

Up to five bands from each university will be selected for the competition. The top three bands will win cash prizes of $650 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.

“For a lot of people this [NC/DC] is a new concept,” Bandstra said. “It’s been kind of hard putting the word out and getting people to audition since many don’t know what it really is.”

Auditioning for NC/DC consists of scanning the QR code on the NC/DC poster, then filling out a short form. Bands wanting to perform also must submit a recorded video audition of their performance.

“It’s really open to everyone, you just have to have a band,” Bandstra said. “We love all different kinds of talents, like in our Airband competition and our upcoming talent show, we just love to see all different kinds of people participate.”

Students are also excited to participate in NC/DC.

“There are a lot of talented musicians here at Dordt, and now they get to play and do what they love,” Abraham Vasquez, a senior and drummer for the NC/DC band ‘Paraless,’ said. “I’m excited to get to see other musicians from a different school, and there is that competitive aspect since we are playing against Northwestern.”

Although NC/DC hasn’t happened since 2019, in the 2021-2022 school year DSA hosted “Battle of the Bands,” which is a similar event to NC/DC, but without Northwestern’s participation. Now with Northwestern back in the competition, NC/DC can return.

NC/DC provides students with an opportunity to perform together, and it creates a space for Dordt and Northwestern students to meet each other through a school-sanctioned event. It also allows students to express themselves through their music.

“I get to play the drums more often and play the music that I enjoy with my friends,” Vasquez said. “I just enjoy the opportunity to play in front of people, it’s pretty cool.”

Students are encouraged to audition, and faculty members are also allowed to participate.

“We’d love to see as many groups audition as we can, so sign up for NC/DC,” Bandstra said.

Contributed Photo