Press Release – Late Night Talk/98FM Battle of the Bands Competition The Late Night Talk/98FM battle of the bands competition starts this Monday the 7th of February at Major Toms at 9pm. The final eighteen participants have been selected after being whittled down from the massive response received from the search that was advertised on Late Night Talk, Thar Focal Agus Ceoil and across the day on 98FM. We are delighted with the quality of the entrants we received and the participants are wide and varied in their musical styles and influences, from to pop to rock to indie to blues and singer/songwriters. The competition follows on from Late Night Talk’s commitment to promote local up and coming artists. Each night for the last year and a half we have featured either an established artist or an up and coming performer in studio doing an acoustic set and interview. The Late Night Talk/98FM battle of the bands is the continuation of that commitment to local talent. The last eighteens music will feature nightly on Late Night Talk (Monday to Thursday 10pm to 1am) and Thar Focal Agus Ceoil, 98FM’s Irish music programme, (Sunday 9pm to 10pm) over the 9 weeks of the contest. The judging panel will consist of 3 people for each heat, Gerry Browne will be the master of ceremonies for the night and is the resident judge. The judges will consist of DJ’s, music journalists, music industry people and established artists. The judges opinion counts for 60% of the vote, however audience voting accounts for 40% of the total. All the gigs will take place in Major Toms, which is situated at the back of the Stephens Green Shopping Centre. During the 6 heats, three bands will compete against each other, with one winner each night progressing through to the semi finals. The nightly winner will appear on Late Night Talk on 98 FM with Tom O’Brannagain to play acoustically on the programme and chat about the heat that night. However, over the course of the 6 heats, two wild card entries will be selected by the judges to progress to the semi finals also. The semi finals will consist of two heats with four bands in each. Four bands will then progress to the final, 2 winners, and 2 wild cards as selected by the judges. The last eight in the semi finals will secure a Monday night gig in Major Toms after the competition is over. The winning band outright will receive as their prize, a full and extensive tour, musical equipment, recording time in a state of the art studio, a fully packaged CD single release and distribution and rotation of the single on 98FM. Late Night Talk and 98FM will push the single and the eventual winner to be as successful as possible. For more information contact John O’Donovan, Producer of Late Night Talk & Thar Focal Agus Ceoil on talk@98fm.ie FOR LISTINGS BATTLE OF THE BANDS – Finalists All gigs take place in Major Toms at the back of the St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre @ 9pm. Drinks promotions are in place for each event and a resident DJ will play until 2.30am 7th Feb Syrys Selwyn Brandwrap 14th Feb The Mosquitoes Cheria Keith O’Connell 21st Feb Yellow Room Savino Johnny Reynolds 28th Feb Aoife McElwain Xerosun The Mongrels 7th March Jezzebelle Anima The KB Band 14th March The Slick Hippies Mitch Jaded Sun