Town Centre News

Local bands set for festival final

Posted on 02/07/2010

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 Some of the of the boroughs best new music acts are preparing to take to the stage for a special show this month, competing for a chance of appearing at this years Feel Good Festival.

The ‘finalists’ have been invited to face the judges and a public audience at the ‘Feel Good - Battle of the Bands’ competition at Coast (above East Bar and Club) South Parade, Rochdale on Saturday 10 July from 7.30pm.

Each band will play two songs, before the judges give their verdict, and the winner will be announced on the night!

One will be selected to open the main stage against the backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall on the Saturday evening, whilst four runners up will get to play in one of the town’s indoor venues. Admission to the live finals show is free, and everyone is welcome to come and show their support for all the acts.

The finalists are: Dead Kestrels, Nonprofitorganisation, The Motivs, The Mysterons, The Statements, Valium Skies, and Red or Black.

On the judging panel will be Jeff Thompson, Manager of Fat Northerner Records and indie music mogul Sean Holland of Charlamount Music. They’ll be joined by Rob Kerford, owner of Sonic PR, promoters of some of Europe’s biggest musicians. Rob has worked with major artists including David Bowie, Green Day, The Flaming Lips and Iron Maiden. The night will be hosted by Howard Monk, founder of highly respected London based live music agency ‘The Local’.

Debbie O’Brien, Event Manager said she has listened to all the finalists and the audience will have a lot to look forward to:

“Yes I think it’s going to be a close contest, but that will add to the excitement. I actually think all our finalists are capable of winning it … it’s just going to depend on who goes down the best with the three judges, but I think audience reaction is going to play a big part too, which should make for a great atmosphere. This competition will give some of our local talent an opportunity to reach a new audience, and for the winner, it’s going to be a brilliant chance to open the main stage at this summers Feel Good Festival.”

To see all the bands perform live, and watch when the winner is announced, you need to arrive at Coast on South Parade, Rochdale by 8pm.

The Rochdale Feel Good Festival takes place in Rochdale town centre on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 August. It will be headlined by The Lightning Seeds, with other acts including Kirsty Almedia, The Herbaliser, Ellen and the Escapades, The Travelling Band and Catherine Tyldesley. The festival will include live music across seven indoor venues, an outdoor stage and a 2 day quality food market. Celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo, Andrew Nutter and Aazam Ahmad will appear in the festivals celebrity kitchen, sponsored by Love Food Hate Waste.

For the Festival latest www.rochdale.gov.uk/events and www.facebook.com/feelgoodfestival. Follow us on Twitter: @RochdaleTown