Musicians prepare to battle it out for the top spot in record label’s competition

Gamlingay Records is preparing to host its Battle of the Bands contest for the sixth time.

The event, which will take place on Saturday, February 22, features bands from across the area.

Sandy’s George and the Giant Peach are on the bill, as are Ollie and Will, a popular acoustic duo from Sandy and Blunham.

Ollie Bond and Will Brown regularly perform around the area and they made it to the final of the national Open Mic UK 2012 contest.

Ollie’s brother, Dan Bond, is part of the well known local group, Music and Spies, who came second in last year’s competition.

Also performing will be Stevenage band, Everything Zen, Aku-II, an acoustic duo from Cambridge, Hitchin group The Marmozetts plus Annie and Lucy, the only females in the competition this year.

Additionally the audience will hear from Norfolk acoustic comedy duo, I Was Once a Dinosaur, Stormy and the Ark, a Cambridge acoustic duo with a rock singer, Hitchin soloist Michael King and Cambridge band, Friday the 13th.

Last year’s winners, The Varsity, are opening the show – but not competing. They will play a 20 minute slot from 5pm.

Each act has the opportunity to be crowned winner twice, once decided by an audience vote and the other by a panel of judges drawn from music industry professionals and the Gamlingay Records label.

The battle will take place in Gamlingay Eco Hub at 5pm, with doors opening at 4.15pm to give the audience time to browse the stalls, including those from Gimme-Gimiks, Fancy Tatt and Sweeties.

Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for members of Gamlingay Youth Club and £4 for people on the bands’ guest lists. Family tickets are £15. These are for four people including at least one adult.

All tickets will be on sale on the door.

Gamlingay Records is an independent label whose aim is to develop and market unsigned bands and artists in the area. It was established in 2007 and it is supported by Forward Gamlingay.

To find out more about Gamlingay Records visit the website at www.gamlingayrecords.co.uk

You can also follow the label on Twitter at @GamlingayRcrds

There is a Facebook event at www.facebook.com/events/1506492509576367/