Hip-hop/rock. Cumbia/reggae. Bluegrass/Americana.

First place. Second place. Third place.

CU's Battle of the Bands returned this year with a lineup of 10 diverse bands playing 12-minute sets in front of a small-but-mighty crowd in Glenn Miller Ballroom.

Sitting at the judges' table, it was clear from the moment Denver hip-hop/rock group Air Dubai finished their first song that they'd be winning the competition unless something really unexpected happened in the last few sets. The onstage chemistry and presence of vocalists Julian Thomas and Jon "Rhias" Shockness shone enough to earn them -- and their band -- several hours of free recording at Coupe Studios, a band photo shoot and their name on a the Battle of the Bands trophy. Here's hoping that means Air Dubai has some material for a follow up to "The Early October."

Taking second place was another strong performance from Quilombo (Boulder). Like Air Dubai, this band stood apart from the others in the completeness of their performance -- polished, professional and legitimately fun.

Third place went to the only band of the evening -- surprisingly -- to feature a mandolin. Fast Cash, an Americana trio also with an acoustic guitar and upright bass, played a few old-timey tunes including the crowd-pleasing "Man of Constant Sorrow."

Also popular at the Battle were West Side Drive, a jammy/facemelt type of group who, if the men's room after their set was to be believed, were probably the best thing to ever happen to rock and roll. A couple of lapses in their performance kept them from the winner's circle, but they should be considered strong contenders for next year if they stick with it.

Related: CU Battle of the Bands: Ballroom turns into rock arena [CU Independent]

Air Dubai (Denver) covers "The Seed" by the Roots: