Technical difficulties, an emergency venue change and a 2nd Best band getting first place were par for the course at this year’s Veishea Battle of the Bands.

After starting an hour and a half late due to a missing generator, rock band Philander opened the festivities, playing to about 100 people. Although the bands couldn’t ask for better weather, fluctuating crowds became the norm, with standing attendance dwindling during Philander’s performance as music fans wandered around to check out other Veishea attractions.

The people who did stay, however, were treated to a crowd-pleasing performance of The Darkness’ “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by the next band, Sweet Afton. The crowd grew as Sweet Afton’s enthusiasm and energy spilled over into the crowd as guitar solos punctuated the afternoon air.

Next up was last year’s third place winner, Hessian, now known as Light in the Addict. Their catchy, complex songs played to a mostly unenthusiastic afternoon crowd as Veishea-goers talked amongst themselves and mostly tried to hear each other over the din.

As the day wore on, different styles of music became apparent, and the crowd gradually grew. Bound 2 Be treated the crowd to its acoustic stylings, projecting a mellow vibe over the scene.

Stuck with Arthur brought tried-and-true mid-’90s punk to the masses, changing its tune only to cover Cyrkle’s “Red Rubber Ball,” which the crowd sang along to as they nodded their heads in recognition.

Dramatic intro music ushered the arrival of local staple 2nd Best. Playing to the largest crowd up to that point, 2nd Best started off the show with a simple proclamation uttered by lead vocalist and bassist Paul Friemel, senior in graphic design: “This is our last show.”

The large crowd matched the energy put forth by 2nd Best, which was difficult to do, as the frenetic guitarists jumped around and prowled the stage as only a veteran band can do.

Each song was punctuated with free merchandise thrown out into the crowd because, in Friemel’s words, “It’s our last show. What the hell do we care?”

The light was fading and the night became a little cooler as InnerElement took the stage. Their Incubus-inspired tunes worked the crowd over well as the stage area became more crowded by the minute, with passersby stopping and watching.

As Hum Digga took the stage, it was evident rain was threatening as winds rose up and whipped through the stage area. Then, seconds into Hum Digga’s set, the heavens opened and rain poured down on Veishea. As the wind and rain crashed down, sound technicians began to frantically pack up their equipment as dangerous lightning lit up the sky.

Bands, judges and fans raced to get to the Maintenance Shop, where the battle was to continue. Unfortunately, the continuation of the Battle of the Bands was in question as a double- booked M-Shop began to quickly fill up.

National band The Figgs was setting up its equipment, ready to play its scheduled show, when dozens of rain-drenched battle attendees swarmed in. Confusion settled over the packed venue as the dilemma was sorted out, and at the end, The Figgs, because it had priority, was allowed to play its 45-minute set. The Battle of the Bands would commence immediately following the end of The Figgs’ set, but with the hour getting late, questions were raised as to how to get the show to end at a reasonable hour.

Battle of the Bands organizers met with the three remaining bands — Hum Digga, The Lone Strangers and Closer — in private to sort out the mess. The three remaining bands then drew straws to solve the problem, said Shaun Liboon, guitarist for Closer. To compensate for not being allowed to participate in the battle, the band that drew the shortest straw was guaranteed a 40-minute set on the Taste of Veishea stage, opening up for the eventual winner of the night’s battle.

The Lone Strangers was the band to draw the shortest straw, thus ending its battle that night.

“It would have been cool to compete in [the battle], but opening for the band tomorrow is a win-win situation,” said Matt Heerema, lead singer for The Lone Strangers.

“The whole situation stinks,” Heerema conceded, “[but] it’s what Jesus would have done.”

So, with only two bands remaining and the battle moved to the M-Shop, the crowd packed the tableless room, eager to, if not hear the eventual winner, at least to see their long journey through to the end.

Hum Digga took the stage for the second time that night and brought a very sultry, soulful feel to the intimate M-shop. Though the band played more instruments — including guitars, bongo, saxophone and cello — than they did actual songs, the versatile band failed to catch the now-overexcited crowd’s attention, struggling to be heard over the loud conversations permeating the club.

Finally, long-running Ames band Closer closed out the night. The very responsive and energetic fans sang along to the songs as a few more people squeezed into the crowded venue, eager to catch the final notes as the catchy tunes faded and the judges left the room to deliberate.

At 12:24 a.m. the decision was passed down, with Closer garnering a third place finish, Light in the Addict winning second place, and 2nd Best taking the top prize. However, since it was 2nd Best’s final show, the band granted Light in the Addict to play on the Taste Stage Saturday. But again the nominated band declined, allowing third place band Closer to play in their place.

Although they chose not to play on Saturday, 2nd Best bassist Paul Friemel said he’s still very proud of his band’s victory.

“It’s kind of a big deal to me personally, because as a band we’ve always gotten second place,” Friemel said.

“I don’t know if we deserved it, but it’s gratifying.”