Big breaks for new Gympie talent as AICM Rocks the country
Bands, supporters and fans pack out Channon St venue
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WITH eight exciting new bands on the bill, it was not such a surprise that between 100 and 150 people turned up for Saturday's big blast at the Australian Institute of Country Music's Channon Street headquarters.
What is surprising is that they all fitted in at a venue more suited to practice and tuition than full-on public performance.
But somehow the building did not burst, even if it did explode with a huge afternoon of rock music.
AICM president Maria Townsend-Webb was excited as she recalled "a fabulous day.”
"There was room to breathe, but it was full and it was exciting. There were people everywhere throughout the building,” AICM band coach Ande Foster said.
They were there to participate or support the efforts of eight bands, from young newcomers to experienced performers.
"I couldn't have been happier with the crowd,” he said.
The event was the AICM Rock School Band Showdown, and the competition was friendly but fierce.
"The judges were terrific,” Ande Foster said.
"Lee Turner, of Blue Logistics Studios, is a seasoned performer and he has worked in bands for most of his life.
"He had loads of advice and encouragement.
"Emily Murphy, who is program co-ordinator for the Muster, was very insightful and specific in her comments.
"And Luke Harriman, who is Gympie Regional Council venue manager said he saw a lot of potential for future events involving the talent he saw on Saturday.”
”We're looking forward to doing it again next year,” Maria Townsend-Webb said.
"It was absolutely standing room only,” she said.
"The place was absolutely pumping for five hours.
"There was an incredible diversity of bands and songs and a lot of original songs.
"We had two categories for the bands. We had some very young people in the school age section and some very accomplished and experienced musicians in the open category.
"We also had prizes for best original song and best Muster match (with a prize of two chances to perform at the upcoming Gympie Music Muster).
"The place was packed out from beginning to end,” she said.
The action started about 2.30pm and wrapped up about 7.30pm,” she said.
Bands played half-hour sets with the Malia Stirling Band startig at 2.30pm, followed by Krashendo, Aspy Jones, Caramel, Mr Percival, North Arm rock Band, Black Canvas, and Led Angels.
The day was sponsored by the Gympie Music Muster, Gympie Musicland, EM Media and Events, Soundhive, Navigator Music, the AICM Rock School and Gympie Regional Council.
Prizes included:
- 2 x $100 vouchers from Gympie Musicland
- Performance opportunities at the Gympie Music Muster 2019
- Live video recordings
- Publicity sessions with EM Media and Events
- Performance opportunities at Gympie Regional Councils events
- Recording sessions of winning original songs in the AICM recording studio, The Bunker, produced by Soundhive
- Band Coaching sessions at the AICM RockSkool
- Guitar lessons with Navigator Music
Originally published as Big breaks for new Gympie talent as AICM Rocks the country
The Sunday Quiz: What is the tallest waterfall in the world?
Peter Dutton became Opposition Leader in what year? Which car firm makes the Camaro model? Put your knowledge of trivia to the test with The Sunday Quiz.
Hell and high water: Inside ground zero of North Qld’s flood nightmare
In the dead of night, as most of Ingham slept, a torrent descended. Nothing will ever be the same again. This is the untold story of how the North Qld spirit conquered unimaginable tragedy and heartbreak.
Gympie sale and auction results, week ending February 8
See the latest auction and sales results in Gympie for last week.
‘Can’t race without it’: Speedway dealt double blow after wall collapse
Bundaberg’s speedway is still out of action after part of the track’s concrete wall collapsed for the second time in 12 months, forcing it to cancel two events. LATEST.
‘Incredibly nerve-racking’: Wedding singer’s shot at Australian Idol
A popular Qld wedding singer who recently tied the knot himself has landed a dream audition on the star-making reality show.
Watch: Veteran’s heartbreak after pitbull kills loved pet at park
A Qld family is distraught after their jack russell-pomeranian cross was killed by a pitbull which also attacked and left one of them covered in blood at a popular dog park. VIDEO, PHOTOS.