Sutherland Shire Battle Of Bands Unearths New Talent

'Battle of the Bands' helps uncover emerging Shire talent

Entries are being sought for Sutherland Shire Council's 2010 'Battle of the Bands' competition which has helped uncover some of the Shire's best emerging talent including 2009 Australian Idol runner-up Hayley Warner.

'Battle of the Bands' is run by the council's youth events committee 'Shire Events Crew'. Auditions and heats will be held in March and the final is set for 9 April 2010.

'Battle of the Bands' is one of the few youth music events in the south of Sydney allowing emerging bands to play gigs to under 18s and which allows up and coming bands an opportunity to perform to a broader audience.

The annual event has been held for the past seven years and has unearthed some talented Shire musicians including Hayley Warner, the runner-up in Australian Idol in 2009 who competed in the 'Battle of the Bands' with band, 'Cloud 9' in 2007.

Bands in the competition have gone on to enjoy other success with the 2009 'Battle of the Bands' winner, 'Azlock', releasing an EP in October 2009, later reaching Number 6 on the Triple J Unearthed charts. 'Azlock' went on to perform a number of gigs over Sydney and the south coast and has supported Amity Affliction.

The 2008 winner of 'Battle of the Bands' 'The Former Love Pirates' also recorded an EP at the Grove Studios the same studio as major acts including Eskimo Joe, Grinspoon, Shannon Noll and Silverchair. Their new song "Click Your Heels" is currently number 7 on the Triple J Unearthed charts.

To enter Sutherland Shire Council's 'Battle of the Bands' post an application form and a demo CD to the council's Youth Events and Project Officer, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 2232. Application forms and further details are available at www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au

Auditions will be held at Jannali Community Hall from 10am to 8pm on 6 March 2010. Heats will be held at the Jannali Community Hall from 6.30pm to 10.30pm on 12 March and 26 March 2010, with the final to be held at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre on 9 April from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Among the prizes being offered, thanks to generous support from Billy Hyde Music Taren Point, will be rehearsals at Studio 57 and a recording package for the band.

The winner will also be offered a spot at the 'Down the Park' youth music event in April as part of Youth Week 2010 as well as other prizes. All events are presented by the Shire Events Crew, council's Youth Events Committee, and are drug and alcohol free.

Entries for 'Battle of the Bands' close at 4pm on 19 February 2010 and band members must be aged between 12-25 years and at least two band members must live in the Sutherland Shire.

Media Contacts
Andrew Herring,
Communications Manager
(02) 9710 0493
or 0410 456 676

Karen Frith,
Senior Media Officer
(02) 9710 0344
or 0414 193 843

SOURCE: Sutherland Shire Council