News

Poole's first Battle of the Bands qualifying heats have been taking place throughout the autumn with the six winners each getting a chance to play in front of a packed audience.

The event, organised by the Borough of Poole's Arts Development Unit with support from Lighthouse, Soundstorm (Dorset Music Service) and Wave - Arts Education Agency, was open to people aged between 14 and 18 and gave them the opportunity to publicly show off the material they had been working on.

Steve MacLaurin, Arts in the Community Officer, Culture and Community Services, Borough of Poole, said: "All the bands worked incredibly hard to hone their music after the heats and the judges were highly impressed by their performances on the night."

The event at Lighthouse in Poole was a great success with the bands Sunstar, Cyanide, Checkards, The Missing Link, Deadline and The Levites knocking out some great music. All six bands will be performing again at a special showcase night at Mr Kyps in Poole planned for the spring and another Battle of the Bands event is being planned for later in 2005.

For a full review and photos of the event, visit www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/music/showcase .