CHRIS SIDWELL-SMITH PYROKINESIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Dates are now confirmed for the 2008 OBS. A 10 Night Live Music Fest which will feature 35 bands all jostling for the title of OBS 08 Winners. The winning band will get a slot at this years Summer Sundae Weekender on THE MUSICIAN STAGE + £500 + a 2 Day Recording Package........... AND....this years runner up will also get a slot at Summer Sundae Weekender Festival...........
I am pleased to confirm that OBS 2007 Winners THE CHAIRMEN will be back as guests on Final Night.........sweeet
"When is a band competition not a band competition? when its the Original Bands Showcase" Dave Davis (Leicester Mercury)
"It's a bit like The Apprentice, but with amps. For the last few months, more than 30 bands have been slugging it out in the city in the battle-of-the-beats Original Band Showcase, writes Dave Davies." "It's the best and most popular event of its kind in the city ever"
Dave Davis OBS 08 (Leics Mercury)That was a really, really good night Called in as a last minute judge, It was really close, it wasn't an easy decision and the panel deliberated for a long, long time.My views:- TJOHB - best musicians of the night with the best material - just unfortunate that they didn't engage with the crowd as much as the other bands. Kalena - best frontman in the competition - wasn't sure about their songs - but then I didn't get Bloc Party the first time I saw them. The Picks - Had the looks and had two songs that made you go wow... now need to do that to the rest of their set and they will go far. The Chairmen - Really got the crowd going. Justified winners on a night of top talent. Tight, balanced and really quite 'madchester' cool.
Sean Tizzard SSW (Rising Stage) commenting on the OBS 07 Final 6th July
ONE WINNER, BUT ALL FIT FOR FESTIVAL
ORIGINAL BANDS SHOWCASE FINAL: THE CHAIRMEN, KALENA, THE PICKS, JACK OF HEARTS BAND
THE SHED, LEICESTER
The Chairmen will play at Summer Sundae after winning this keenly-contested showcase at The Shed on Friday night.
Lead singer Jonny Gavin had said the competition would be between "bands of high quality and high stature" - and that was the case.
Self-described "pioneers of turbo-folk", the Hinckley outfit took to the stage first, and really got the crowd going.
Jonny's tones left the other bands with plenty to live up to.
They did not disappoint. Any of the four would have graced the stage at the festival this summer.
Next up were Kalena, an alternative-indie band who played some great tunes - including Bare To The Floor - in front of adoring fans.
Frontman Andy Cook bounced around the stage with unlimited energy.
The Picks played a range of cracking songs, from Don't Take Yourself to the catchy pop of Young Dreamers.
Lead singer Nathan Smith was keen to get the crowd singing and swaying along - and they didn't need much persuading.
Last, but by no means least, were Jack of Hearts Band.
They dealt the crowd a strong hand as they went through a series of catchy blues-rock hits.
Dan Nice (Leics Mercury) OBS 07 FINAL
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