Southport Battle of the Bands grand final VIDEO

You really had to be there to appreciate what a fantastic night of amazing live music we enjoyed in the Banff on Friday night, writes Martin Hovden.

Here's the link to my video of the packed-out event which hopefully captures some of the fun and excitement of the grand final of the Southport Battle of the Bands 2022.

There are live performances and interviews with the four finalists:

SLICK CUPID – Southport-based pop punk band who are playing in the Fag Ash Lil gig on the Bandstand in Lord Street on Saturday, 10 September, in aid of Queenscourt Hospice

THE LAZY SUNDAZE – Liverpool indie rockers who are releasing their new single Careless this Thursday (1 September). You can see the full unedited version on the video

SOME TIME TODAY – Based in Burcough, this pop punk band really know how to entertain the crowd and they attended every single stage of the contest to offer their support to other bands - respect

CONEHEADS – at just 17, they were the youngest band in the competition and impressed everyone with their original sound of pop rock with a touch of DIY punk, plus a huge dollop of fun

The video also includes fire spinning by Southport's very own fire eater Aharon Sugden AND interviews with:

Alan Jameson, Pat Hibell, Jason G Taylor - all members of Southport band ska band SOUR NOTE

Southport musician DING GILBERT

Battle of the Bands official photographer YUEN WAH LI (Mike)

Banff manager NIAL CARLOSS

Event organisers Dave Aston, Hayden Birch and Martin White

This hugely successful event has injected much-needed life into Southport's live music scene and long may it continue. There are already plans to hold a similar, bigger contest next year. And live music nights will start very soon in the Banff.

Watch this space.