Budapeg, a band whose members hail from Vacaville High and Will C. Wood High School, were the grand prize winners of the 3rd Annual High School Battle of the Bands Saturday night at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord.

They beat out a field of 20 bands from all over the Bay Area, which competed over three nights during the past week. Genres ranged from the sweet-voiced acoustics of female soloist (and finalist) Avery Mast of Livermore High School to the thrash rock of Matchless Overthrow.

For pictures from the event, make sure to visit our photo gallery. If you JOIN our website, you can add your own photos, videos and comment on others’ shots.

The contest, sponsored by BandsOfTheBay.com, the Contra Costa Times, The Oakland Tribune, the city of Concord, Sleep Train Pavilion and the Bill Graham Foundation, was created to give aspiring high school musicians a unique chance to perform under professional conditions on a big stage.

Just stepping onto such hallowed rock star ground made this BOTB.com staffer get jitters, so I can’t imagine how these teens felt, putting their artistic hearts out there for all their moshing peers to stomp on–or to applaud.

The judges have all been impressed with the quality of music they’re seeing each year as the event matures. Now that we were able to give the event an extensive online venue, we look forward to seeing it grow more in leaps and bounds in the years to come.

Thanks to all the musicians and their parents and fans who helped make everything run smoothly. The behind the scenes man, Justin Estrada, Pavilion coordinator, was awesome to work with, despite facing some of his own tough health issues.

Rock on, everyone. Can’t wait until next year.