Having sat through forty acts at last weekend’s Dorset Music Award Heats, and been given some of the responsibility of choosing who progressed to the next round, we shall be watching very closely as the competition unfolds and develops over the coming months. Losing twenty out of the forty wasn’t an easy task. Watching well established bands like Dubheart and Lady Winwoods Maggot play alongside brand new (just one or two gigs each) acts like Dollie Pronto and The Sval Bards led to interesting conversation amongst the judges. The plain fact is it is simply down to quality, regardless of age and experience, and it would be true to say that from where we were sitting the two bands who created the biggest buzz over the weekend were The Longest Day and one of those newbies on the scene, The Neon Tigers.

But, it would also be true to say any one of the remaining twenty has the ability to progress to the final stages of this year’s event, which looks like eclipsing even last year’s success in terms of organisation, promotion and quality. Unlike the majority of live music ‘competitions’, the Dorset Music Awards has rightly gained credibility amongst the local music scene (and beyond) because of its overall quality. For those who don’t like the thought of bands ‘battling’, one of the most important things this competition does is it encourages bands to advertise and appeal to their friends and fans, and to take their music to a wider audience, thus combating complacency and highlighting to bands the importance of promotion. Last year’s winners Achilles being a prime example, where a huge marketing campaign (unlike the previous year where little effort was made) led to equally huge numbers supporting the band. Of course it was ultimately the fact that their live performances were quite fantastic that brought them their success.

Anyone on facebook (and no doubt a variety of alternative communication vehicles) will currently be receiving a multitude of requests from bands asking for support, whether it be online voting or attendance to their quarter-final event. These events, being held over the coming weeks at The Winchester look like being lively affairs, high on quality and excitement. All the information you need on the competition, including links to the bands still involved can be found on the Dorset Music Awards website. Progress from the quarter-final stage includes a public vote element, below is the simplest of opportunities to do just that. Our tips for this year’s winners? Well, the buzz at the heat stage was quite deafening…

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