A MASSIVE 16 entries across two big nights had some of Warrnambool’s youngest singer-songwriters and musicians take the stage for the annual Battle of the Bands competition during the weekend.
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In a first for the youth music competition, organisers had acoustic and “easy listening” styles perform on Friday night and heavier rock bands on Saturday — about 300 young people attending across the two nights.
Indie pop-rock band Say Please was named overall winner and will go on to the Battle of the Bands Barwon South West regional final in October. Runner-up was melodic/hardcore band Entitlements.
In another first for the competition, eight of the 16 bands will record a song on CD as part of the Kool Skools national songwriting and recording project. Say Please and Entitlements will record two tracks each.
Warrnambool City Council youth development planner Katie McKean said the young audience enjoyed the range of performances at the Lighthouse Studio.
“We wanted to encourage a greater diversity of artists. Friday was a chilled-out, cruisy night and Saturday was energetic and intense.”
A highlight was a guest performance by 2012 regional final winners Above Suspicion on Saturday night.
The performers were scored on presentation, musicianship, composition and potential by music industry judges.
“The number of entries and the diversity of entries reflects how many talented musicians we have in Warrnambool. A lot were performing original pieces as well as covers ... there’s so much talent and enthusiasm out there,” Ms McKean said.
“Everybody who was there really appreciated the performances and the talent of the musicians.”
The musicians who will take to the recording studio in November include folk/indie/pop/alternative artist Nancie Schipper, who was named Friday night’s winner, duo Vijilantee and Cooper Lower, Tom Williamson, Cooper Lower (solo) and Melissa DeBruin. Saturday night’s winner and overall Warrnambool Battle of the Bands winner Say Please will be joined by Back of Tha Bus, Entitlements, Tap Water and The Mellows.
The 12-track CD will be recorded on September 22 and 23 at Studio 52 in Melbourne.
The Warrnambool Kool Skools CD will be launched on November 21 at the Lighthouse Theatre.