Toad, the ‘25 San Luis Obispo Battle of the Bands winner, is preparing to take the stage at the Shabang Music, Arts and Camping Festival on May 3.
Before claiming victory at Free the Youth and Shabang’s annual Battle of the Bands tour stop in San Luis Obispo, the group members met during their freshman year at Cal Poly, bonding over a shared love for music. For many of the band members, their childhood experiences were shaped by music, leading them on the path to Toad.
“I had grown up doing music my whole life,” Annie Pagel, lead singer and rhythm guitarist, said.
Drummer Casey Brant credits old-school musicians like the Grateful Dead, DIY music community and “the jam band culture that [he] was around in childhood” for shaping his interests.
The group started practicing casual improv sessions in the dorms, and in the spring of 2022, Pagel joined the musicians at the student experimental garden, playing with friends and other student musicians.
“I think it’s highly encouraged through the culture of San Luis Obispo to play music if you’re into it,” Brant said.
Toad continued practicing together on the rooftop of the Yakʔitʸutʸu parking garage until they landed their first gig at a house show on Hayes St. with the help of another local musician who happened to come across their rehearsal.
“We’ve been trying to play at Shabang for three years, or even just get entered into Battle of the Bands,” Brant said.
After applying to Battle of the Bands multiple times, trying everything from tagging Shabang on Instagram posts to sending in demos, Toad was selected to compete. The band received cheers of encouragement the moment they hit the Fremont stage, sealing their win and spot in the 2025 Shabang lineup.
“It feels full circle coming from the dorms in SLO and now playing at the largest music festival in the county. It’s a cool way for me to end my senior year playing at Shabang,” lead guitarist Matthew Hendricks said.
This April, the band celebrated their third year performing together by preparing both original songs and covers for their upcoming performance at Shabang. The band is looking forward to reaching new audiences and playing for their longtime fans, “the tadpoles.”
Toad is set to perform at the Dairy Creek Golf Course’s Cuesta Ridge stage on May 3 at 4 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.
