If you and your bandmates have been slaving away, penning songs, hitting open mics and trying to get the word out, an upcoming battle of the bands event may be just what you’re looking for.
On Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 6, the Molson Canadian Tommy’s Battle of the Bands starts up at Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub on Banff Avenue.
Bands from Lake Louise to Canmore are invited to take part, with the coveted first prize being $1,000 and a performance at The Banff Centre – complete with that facility’s full treatment of light, sound and marketing.
“It should be a lot of fun,” said organizer Garry Gonis. “We have a lot of good bands in the valley and this is a chance for them to show what they have.”
Application forms were available at Tommy’s as of Jan. 30.
Entrants, said Gonis, can range from duets to full bands and each entry must be prepared to play three original songs of about 20 minutes duration. A solo singer can enter, but must have an accompanist, as judging partially takes into account playing with another performer.
Adjudication will be done by local performers like Lori Reid, with The Banff Centre staff on hand for final judgments.
“And we have all the gear here,” said Gonis. “Just like for our open mic night, we’ll have guitars, banjos, a drum kit, keys… And if people want to bring their own gear, that’s great, but they’d have to show up early to prepare.
“It’s going to be great, and working with David Cseke at The Banff Centre is awesome.”
Taking part in the band battle, said Cseke, “is another way we are trying to support our local talent. Depending on the winner’s style of music and who we already have coming in, they could get an opening slot at one of our larger venues, or co-headline in The Club.
“The winners will get the full Banff Centre treatment, just like any other artists we program with our series – full technical support of lighting, sound and marketing.”
