Down in the Park’s win at the Battle of the Bands Friday came as a huge surprise – at least to the band members.

“We didn’t really expect to win,” Coplin Lebleu, the guitarist, said. “We were just in it for the exposure.”

Loyola hosted the third Annual Battle of the Bands on Friday. A panel of music industry professionals and musicians from the area judged the contest.

While the judges tallied up the results, last’s year Battle of the Band winner, Lowerline, performed for the crowd.

Now that Down in the Park has won Loyola’s Battle of the Bands, the Lafayette band’s press kit will be sent to the National Battle of the Bands, where it will be heard by music industry professionals.

Down in the Park also won an opening spot for Blue October at the Howlin’ Wolf in April.

“We’re ready to go,” Lebleu said.

Lebleu said that he heard many people at the Battle of the Bands say that they enjoyed the show, and that is a big part of Down in the Park’s goal.

“It’s going to expand our fan base, I’m hoping,” Lebleu said.

Down in the Park has opened for national acts such as 12 Stones, Lit, Trust Company and Earshot.

Classic/post-punk rockers Glasgow came in second at the Battle of the Bands, and JackRabbit Slim’s eclectic funk-rock styling rounded out the top three. Nuit, ESP and Saaraba also performed at the contest.

Corinne Knight can be reached at [email protected].