I thought I was past it, but Battle of Bands has given me my spark back

his Friday will be the first in the past two months when I haven't spent five hours in a nightclub with people 40 to 50 years younger than me, listening to very loud live music, writes journalist Martin Hovden.

And I'm missing it already. 

When music promoter Hayden Birch contacted me back in June asking if I would like to be a judge in Southport Battle of the Bands (BOTB), my first reaction was: “Really, at my age?”

That feeling lasted all of 10 seconds and I said yes.

It did cross my mind that as I had just celebrated my 70th birthday, I would feel awkward in the presence of so many young people, especially in a nightclub.

But I needn't have worried. The contest, which has its grand final in the Banff next Friday (26 August), has attracted live music fans of all ages – and in the eight weeks I've been going, age has never been mentioned.

And you'll be relieved to hear I don't try to “get down with the kids” and wear skinny jeans and trendy trainers. I always wear what I feel comfortable in: casual top and bottom...or as we used to call them in the olden days slacks and a sports jacket (although last Friday, one of the hottest nights so far this year, I left the jacket at home).

My interest in live music started more than half a century ago when I was a young reporter on the Wallasey News. I was asked to interview a new band called Buster and I'll never forget the enthusiasm, energy and ambition of the four lads, still in their teens.

And I've witnessed that same enthusiasm over the past 50 years when I interviewed new bands from all over Merseyside (plus a new Manchester band called Take That who appeared in the Quadrant Park club in Bootle....who went on to do quite well in the business).

But the highlight for me is when you see a new band perform for the first time, or watch our talented musicians debut their latest original song. Without fail, there is always one song or one performance, which makes the hair on the back of your head stand up and stays with you for a long time.

When I was editor of the Southport Champion I started the Live Sounds column 20 years ago. Its aim was to help and encourage new and existing local bands build a profile in the town and promote their forthcoming gigs or new songs. The column also appeared in the Southport Visiter. I then hosted a radio version of Live Sounds on Southport Radio, Dune FM and Mighty FM.

But three years ago a family member's health continued to deteriorate and I found the worry of that plus the responsibility of preparing and hosting a live weekly show was just too much. So I decided to retire Live Sounds.

And since then, apart from giving readers of Facebook and local news websites my observations of our town's political scene, I've been twiddling my thumbs. In fact when I went to the opening heat of BOTB it was the first time I'd been out socially at night for two years because of Covid.

I've also enjoyed being a “guerilla filmmaker” (no crew, no props, no budget) interviewing the bands and recording live performances and then editing and releasing the video within 48 hours – journalists love deadlines.

So, Hayden and fellow BOTB organisers Dave Aston and Martin White, plus all the amazing bands in the competition: my sincere thanks for inviting me back into the local music scene family...and that's what it is, a family where everyone helps and encourages each other and you get to hear some fantastic music by very talented musicians.

It's a lovely place to be.

And my message to fellow pensioners? Subject to any health restrictions, go out and do what really interests you..but I'd leave the baseball cap at home.

PICTURED: Burscough pop punk band Some Time Today, one of the four finalists in the grand final

COMING SOON: Details of the BOTB grand final taking place next Friday, 26August.