City News

Rock legends are set to welcome a new generation of budding superstars to Birmingham when the city’s leading live entertainment venue, The Jam House, hosts the UK heat of the world's biggest live music competition.

Rick Wakeman, compere, will be among the judges in the Global Battle of the Bands national heat which is being held in the landmark bar and restaurant on Sunday 26 October 2008 from 7.15pm - 11pm.

Organisers are confident that the competition – now in its 5th year - will be as popular as last year, and are extremely happy to have such a prestigious music venue to host it.

The Jam House national final brings together the winners and runners-up from the five regional finals which were held throughout England over the summer. The 10 acts will compete for a place in the world final, which will be held in London on 14 and 15 December where the winners of the 39 other national heats around the world will compete for the prize of US$100k.

Acts taking part in the national final at the popular St Paul’s Square venue include censored., touted by NME as "The buzz band of the Midlands", and N.U.M.B, a band who have played over 200 gigs including the O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park.

They will be joined by local acts including the gifted young singer/songwriter Ladonna Kezia putting on a display of local talent.

Fay Goodman, producer at Birmingham-based Goodmedia, brought the event to the city as part of her role as ambassador for the creative industry at the Birmingham Chamber.

She said: "The GBOB national event returning to Birmingham is a major coup for us and will help to show the local talent we have to offer.

I am delighted by the growing support of local companies and music groups, and fantastic venues like The Jam House, who represent all that is good about live entertainment. This has all been made possible by the forward thinking of Paul Knowles of Jenral Events who shares our vision to promote 'real' music.”

Paul Knowles, Jenral Events and UK National Director for GBOB said: "I can categorically say that we have never been blessed with the kind of talent that will be on display at The Jam House on October 26th. The GBOB national final is living proof of the quality of young musical talent that we are so fortunate to be able to promote in this country. We are proud to bring the competition back to Birmingham, a city that has really embraced artistic talent over the past decade."

John Bunce, Manager at the Jam House, said: "Battle of the Bands" competitions are often the life blood of a local music scene and to be asked to host the UK's final of the ambitious and international GBOB CHALLENGE is a great honour and something we at the Jam House are always happy to support. We know some of the bands that are taking part in this event and so are confident the night is one not to miss.’

* The bands competing for the chance to represent England at the international final in December are: Night Parade, N.U.M.B, Bundle of Id, Floors and Walls, Suns Of Banditos, Heist, censored., Thelement, Vivid Sky and Midgar.