Distortion and Dreams: Colorado’s Battle of the Bands Ignites Denver
Six Colorado bands took over The Oriental Theater on January 23, proving that the state’s local scene is loud, fearless, and ready for what’s next.
Written by Maddie Weizenegger | February 25, 2026
The Oriental Theater in Denver was electric with distortion and dreams on January 23, as six Colorado bands battled for this year’s Battle of the Bands championship. After months of qualifying battles throughout the state, Minluv, The Koozies, Hand Turkey, The Naked Mannequins, Evan Bringham, and The Rude Mood took their places on stage to show the judges why they should be crowned the best of the best.
No pretenses. No do-overs. Just sound, sweat, and stage presence.
One of the most intense performances of the night was by The Naked Mannequins, a hard-hitting punk-indie band from Greeley. The band, formed in high school and still one of the youngest acts of the night, took the stage as if they had something to prove, and they played like it.
Lead singer McKayla dominated the room with a voice that sliced through the air. She moved effortlessly from screaming, pulsating highs to strong, ringing lows, imbuing every song with depth and passion.
Their rendition of Paramore’s “All I Wanted” was more than a crowd-pleaser; it was a declaration. Bold. Brash. Unapologetically their own.
The Naked Mannequins not only performed for the crowd, but they drew them in. Flashlights illuminated the theater during the middle of the set while they played one of their many original songs. They interacted with the crowd by chanting and clapping along to lyrics and rhythms in their songs. Those who entered as mere spectators left saturated with sound and motion.
Their crowd interaction eclipsed almost every other band of the evening, making a competition show feel almost like a hometown headliner.
They didn’t take home the prize. But they left the stage having made an impression that resonated more loudly than the scorecard.
When the winner was finally announced, Hand Turkey took home the Battle of the Bands prize, ending the evening with a show strong enough to secure the win. Among a sea of talented bands, they stood out at the top.
But if one thing is certain about the evening of January 23, it is this: the local music scene in Colorado is not only alive, but it’s loud, it’s restless, and it’s ready.
