SDC Rocks - Heat Three
The third and final heat of SDC Rocks took place at Bar Via on April 2: you can read Luke Sutherland's fine review here.
Once again, a new set of judges were brought in to critique the bands. Back in Heat One, we'd had Brad from Echo State helping out, and tonight it was the turn of his bandmate Craig: two more guys more passionate about music you couldn't hope to meet.
Longstanding SDC Rocks associate Kev Sturt also joined us on the panel. With his engineer's ear Kev elected to position himself along the back wall to get the full sound of the bands performances, rather than sit up front with his head in the speakers like us lot ill-advisedly did.
With only 4 bands playing this last heat, the judges' decisions were slightly less complex. The Echo State lads, Kev and myself all favoured different bands to varying degrees - early on, I was sure I'd be pushing for the clattering enthusiasm of From The Attic to take the prize.
Some of Medics
Ultimately, however, the exuburant Medics took top place, with the first truly unanimous judges' decision of the heats. Their energetic, audience-involving, chaotic dance-punk impressed us all and convinced us they'd be perfect for the Eastbourne Festival finals.
For a change, the heat didn't over-run too badly, so Gareth from Far Que Promotions (who'd helped judge the first heat back in March) was able to get his subsequent gig going in time: fellow SDC Rocks finalists We Shoot Foxes.
Postscript:
Late in the day, a spare slot in the Gold Room at Eastbourne Festival Live became available for Sussex Downs College to fill. The decision was made to randomly select one of the second-placed bands from the heats to take the opening slot: Connell & The Mainheads, Cue Class and Soul Sanctuary's names went into the bag, with Cue Class winning the unexpected bonus slot.
The full running order for the Gold Stage at Eastbourne Festival Live tonight (April 24) is:
7pm - Cue Class (runners up, Heat Two)
7.30pm - The Veloes (winners, Heat One)
8pm - We Shoot Foxes (winners, Heat Two)
8.30pm - Medics (winners, Heat Three)
9pm - Natalie’s Box
10pm - Acusis
11pm - Close