A celebrity panel will be judging the second Harpenden Lions’ Battle of the Bands competition when it is is held in the town next Friday, May 8.
Six youth bands from Harpenden’s senior schools will play music ranging from rock, indie, funk and punk to soul and will be judged by a panel including two members of the group The Puppini Sisters.
The competition, which is being held from 7pm at St George’s School Hall in Sun Lane, will be compered by Gareth Lloyd who presents the ‘Introducing’ radio show for unsigned bands on BBC Three Counties Radio.
A major prize and the accolade Harpenden Band of Bands 2015 will be awarded for the best original composition and performance.
Kate Mullins, a former St George’s pupil, and Emma Smith, ex Sir John Lawes, of The Puppini Sisters will be joined on the judging panel by Anni Williams, former pupil of Sir John Lawes, who is a voice coach for TV shows X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, and music producer Mike Pearce from Grand Chapel Studios in Tring
Proceeds from the competition will support Harpenden Lion’s chosen charities with half the funds being donated to the Eyes Alight Appeal to support the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT).
The appeal was set up by Izzy Judd - whose drummer husband Harry from the band McBusted was a judge last year - and her family after her brother Rupert Johnston suffered a serious brain injury in a near fatal car accident.
The 2014 Harpenden Lion’s Battle of the Bands raised £3500 for the Eyes Alight Appeal, which contributed towards specialist facilities at BIRT service, Kent House, a specialist residential centre providing continuing rehabilitation and specialist care and support for people with acquired brain injury.
Tickets for this year’s competition are £10 available online with a small handling charge from www.harplions.com where more information is available. They can also be obtained from the Harpenden Musicale shop, Sun Lane, and at Stage Door, Piggottshill Lane, Southdown.
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