City’s young rock stars set to battle it out at Kirkstall Abbey

Some of the city’s top up-and-coming acts will have another chance to rock out in the stunning grounds of Kirkstall Abbey this summer as the annual Battle of the Bands returns.

Budding musicians from across Leeds will take over the youth stage at Kirkstall Festival for the third year in a row, vying for the chance to be named the 2017 winner and scoop some amazing prizes.

Youngsters aged 13-19 are being invited to enter the prestigious contest, with an expert panel of music industry professionals then charged with whittling entrants down to just twelve finalists.

The lucky dozen acts will play a 15 minute set for a crowd of thousands at the festival, which takes place on Saturday, July 8.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said: “Leeds has a very proud tradition of supporting up and coming acts and this is a fabulous opportunity for some of our young musicians to perform in front of thousands of people at one of the city’s biggest annual community events.

“Performing in the beautiful grounds of Kirkstall Abbey at such a huge event could be a real launching pad for talented musicians and I hope our aspiring young rock stars take the chance to get involved.”

To enter, acts just need to send a video link of their band performing to Leeds Museums and Galleries’ youth curator Angie Thompson at youth.curator@leeds.gov.uk by 4pm on Friday, June 16.

Kirkstall Festival is free to attend and regularly attracts crowds of up to 25,000 people. It will also include stalls, a fairground and displays.

For more details on Battle of the Bands, visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/Battle-of-the-Bands.aspx

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 378 9182 (please note my new number)

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk