Sat 27 May 12-4pm
Haddington Bridge Centre.
ELjam is delighted to be working with Haddstock this year to host a Battle of the Bands competition.
The Bands
Bands from all six East Lothian high schools will take part. We are delighted to announce the following line up:
The Professionals
We have four fabulous judges and a wonderful compere who are generously donating their time to the event. They are all professionals working in the music industry and are extremely well placed to offer valuable feedback and advice.
Our Judges
Bruce Craigie is co-owner of A Modern Way Management Company & Record Label who have Idlewild, Fatherson, Zoe Graham, Rudi Zygadlo, Tom Joshua on their rosta. He is also involved in Aimless Play, a Digital Marketing & Services company, and has extensive experience of working in record companies & music publishing companies. Bruce also lectures part time in Music Business at Edinburgh College.
Harley Loudon is a songwriter, musician, jazz singer, therapist and storyteller with various albums out on apple / Spotify as a solo artist and band member. She has worked in the music industry supporting emerging artists.
Andy Pennycuick is lead vocalist and harmonica player for 10 piece ska band BOMBSKARE, and guitarist/backing vocalist for “The Pennycuick Girls”.
Inge Thomson is a performer, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. Her main instrument is the piano keyed accordion but she finds herself increasingly drawn to the creation and recording of new sounds and the possibilities and parameters of sound manipulation. Much of Inge’s work is inspired by our environment and her place in it.
Our Compere
We are delighted to have Murray Briggs from Edinburgh band Aberfeldy leading us through the festivities on the day.
The Prizes
We have a sensational list of prizes up for grabs. Details to follow very soon. However, we can reveal that everyone will receive a prize and, as a bonus, two of our bands will be selected to perform on the Lighthouse Stage at Fringe by the Sea in August! Thank you to our partners at FbtS for this great opportunity!
- Professional photo shoot with GWS photography https://www.gwsphotography.co.uk/
- Professional track recording & production at Edinburgh College Studios
- Professional logo design from Helen Wyllie at Wylliecat Design
- Studio Visit, live interview and performance at East Coast FM
- Writing, Recording, Mixing & Mastering masterclass with EthicArts
- Live Music & Stage Presence Masterclass with EthicArts
- One year’s web hosting with free sub domain plus website development, also with with EthicArts
In addition EthicArts has offered all bands one year’s web hosting with a free subdomain at https://ethicarts.com, a band email, a WordPress page for their portfolio, biography, blog, etc. and e-commerce through their profiles at EthicArts.com | Creative Marketplace (where they can register for free and enjoy a 50% transaction fee reduction for life). WHAT A PRIZE!
Prize Giving & Evening Entertainment
The results will be announced and prizes allocated between 4.30pm and 5pm. After that, we have performances from The Knox Music Project which will include a video and a song written especially for the occasion. There will be a live performance from YMI’s Build a Band and the Knox Samba Group. The event will finish with a performance from the young members of The Brunton Performing Arts Network drama groups.
For Festival-Goers:
Make a day of it and check out FREE Arts Tasters, enjoy tea + cake served by Haddington Guides and Pizza by Mazzoli at the Tyneside Tavern in the The Haddington Bridge Centre courtyard. East Coast FM Scotland will also be supporting and broadcasting the event live
Arts Activity Taster Sessions
East Lothian Council Arts Service will be offering a wide range of arts activities to try for free, you just need to book in. Details are being finalised but you can keep your eye on this page to get the full line up and to reserve your place.