Band battle competition countdown
With just five weeks to go, Rockingham Hotel is making the final preparations for this year’s Battle of the Bands competition.
Hotel manager Brian Jarick has taken over organisation of the competition, which has been running since 2006.
He said he was looking forward to welcoming many local bands to play at the hotel.
‘‘It is one of the best parts of the year for us,’’ he said.
‘‘In previous years we’ve had bands from as far away as Joondalup playing in the competition. We are hoping to get more local bands playing, although we won’t discriminate if they are from other areas.’’.
The competition heats, each featuring up to five bands performing in front of an audience and panel of judges, will take place over four weeks, starting on September 7.
The grand final will be held in October.
Mr Jarick said the competition was a boost for the bands, some of whom would be performing on stage for the first time.
‘‘It gives them a bit of a leg up and helps them on their way,’’ he said.
‘‘It also prepares bands for playing in front of a crowd. Sometimes we get bands which have never played to an audience before.’’
Mr Jarick said previous successes from the competition included Matt Gresham who went on to tour around Europe.
‘‘Last year’s winners, Bears and Dolls, have also been doing some pretty big gigs in Perth. I think the competition was a massive help to them because it got them out there and gave them some stage time,’’ he said.
Mr Jarick gave a hint as to what the judging panel, which will include a record company representative, will be looking out for.
‘‘Things like talent, the variety of the playlist and the band’s stage presence are obviously very important,’’ he said.
‘‘The engagement of the crowd is also important, and as most of the crowd is made up of friends of the band members, the more friends they bring the better it will be for them.’’
