let battle commence

it has been 3 months since Rock For Change's Big Gig at the Milfield Arts centre in march.

and since then, disappointingly and inevitably they have once again struggled to find bars and venues willing to let a younger audience attend gigs.

But after a hiatus, the campaign once again touches down in Enfield, finding a new home at the Live Room in Palmers Green for a battle of the bands contest.

five acts were pitted against each other after topping a qualifying vote held via facebook, with the winning band filling a support slot at Enfield Town's Fake Festival
.
(why these five local bands weren't already considered for the support slots is another gripe i have with the Fake Festival, but let's carry on regardless)



Red Monday were first up, kicking things off with a mature and impassioned performance that would have gone down well with any festival crowd and then Hurricane Season followed. Considering the infancy of the band the post-hardcore band were supported by a steady stream of followers as the band powered through their 25 minute set, keen to make an impact and win over voters.



Syn-X took to the stage to give Hurricane Season a lesson on how to really rock a crowd, introducing themselves as 'the heavy band' and advising the more discerning members of the audience when it was safe to take their hands from over their ears.  thrashing out to a thrilled crowd with lead singer/screamer Johnny Bailey possessing personality enough to fill the room. those less interested in the heavy heavy metal were appeased slightly with Rihinna's 'Rude Boy' being transformed into a metal machination.
 


I have been entertained by the preppy punk styling of Double A before and yet again they do not disappoint. crude yet all done in jest. they neither take themselves too seriously nor treat their band like a joke. from a band with vulgar lyrics and cover versions of Black Eyed Peas and Justin Beiber this is rather a hard balance to strike yet these guys attain it with seemingly minimal effort.



and then onto final act, Kids Uncanny, a band that i have reviewed a few times and make no secret of my passion, and yet again they turn out a set that perfectly showcases their abilities to write great songs and work a crowd, taking the contest in their stride.

claiming the festival support slot after overwhelming voting, Kids Uncanny clearly have the talent to cut a swathe across the local scene and position themselves as the Enfield band to keep an eye out for. hopefully big things will be abound for them very soon.



credit where it's due:

all photos by Laura Harvey