Horsham Battle of the Bands to return to the Drill Hall

The original competition will take place over one Big Weekend, Friday, October 25, to Sunday, October 27.

It will return to The Drill Hall in Denne Road Horsham, the venue of the competition in the halcyon days of 2004-2007 when the heats alone attracted an audience of hundreds.

Heat One will take place on Friday evening, Heat Two on Saturday.

There will be six places in each heat, the top three bands going on to compete in the Grand Final on Sunday.

Entries are open to local bands with at least one member who lives works or goes to school in the Horsham District.

There will be a large stage and the PA and light show will be provided by Aardvark AV with the kind support of the internationally famous Sussex based sound system company Funktion One who will be lending their distinctive PA speakers and power amps for the event.

In addition to the BOTB competition on Saturday afternoon there will be a showcase concert featuring the talents of various community and outreach groups in the district including Samba X and The Coasters. On Sunday afternoon the venue will host a Music and Beer festival, featuring local bands and local beers.

The Big Weekend will come to a big finale with the BOTB13 final on Sunday night, when the winners will be presented with the coveted Graham Ansell Trophy, as well as a load of other goodies for first second and third place.

The winners will receive a cheque for £500, a day in a recording studio, two free rehearsals at QM Studios, free hire of the HDLMA PA for one gig and their name will be inscribed forever on the trophy.

Second place will receive a cheque for £250 and two free rehearsals at QM Studios.

Third place will receive a cheque for £100 and one free rehearsal at QM Studios.

There is also a discretionary ‘Spirit of the Competition’ award of £50 for the individual artist or musician who most impresses the HDLMA committee with their ability, talent, attitude, or performance over the weekend.

Details of the rules and online entry forms, will soon be available on the HDLMA web site at www.hdlma.co.uk or at www.horsham-rocks.com.

Alternatively hardcopies are available direct from QM Studios, Dukes Square, Denne Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1GZ. The closing date for entries is Friday, October 4.

Horsham District Battle of the Bands 2013 is jointly organised by Horsham District Live Music Alliance and Aardvark AV.

For more information call HDLMA Chairman Mark Daly on 07745396136 or email [email protected].