October 7, 2015
Local duos and bands may have been narrowly outclassed by performers from Woodford and the Sunshine Coast at Nanango’s Battle Of The Bands on the weekend but no one really seemed to mind.
A crowd of about 200 turned out at Pioneer Park’s amphitheatre on Saturday afternoon to watch seven duos and five bands pump out more than five hours of almost non-stop music.
And to judge by the frequent applause and occasional cheers that peppered the afternoon, most genuinely enjoyed the show.
The free event was put together by well-known Nanango musicians Mr Q (Tony Cisneros) and Nathan Lee from Seascape Studios, assisted by several friends, as part of this year’s South Burnett & Cherbourg On Show festival of events.
Sponsorship from Heritage Bank Nanango, the Nanango Funfest Committee and Phantom Studios allowed the competition to offer a $750 cash prize to the winning band, and $250 cash plus 10 hours of studio recording time to the winning duo.
Nine South Burnett duos and bands took 15-minute turns on the Pioneer Park stage, along with visiting performers from Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast and Woodford.
Under the Battle’s rules, each duo or band had to deliver at least one original composition as part of their set.
Judging was carried out by Dave, Jamie and Kramer from local radio stations CROW FM 90.7, HOT FM and Radio 4SB while poet Luke Green acted as compere, quickly ushering performers on and off stage while Nathan Lee oversaw the sound.
The event was promoted as a family friendly afternoon.
Children could snack on soft drinks, hot dogs and fairy floss, or play on a jumping castle and obstacle course set up in the park by Rosie’s Fun 4 All while their parents enjoyed the music.
Nanango band Rough As Guts – the second-last act of the day – caused a small stir when members of their fan club (the Rough As Guts Girls) took to the lawns for some enthusiastic dancing.
But Woodford band Truckbucket, who followed them, proved just two points stronger when their mix of BB King and Taj Mahal classics and their own composition “Bigger Wave” won the judges’ hearts.
The Duos contest was won by Sunshine Coast performers Palomine (Georgie and Steve Street), who bested six local duos by just one point when the final scores were added up.
Afterwards, Tony thanked everyone who’d helped make the day a great success.
[Photos: Clive Lowe Photography and southburnett.com.au]
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