Empire Band of the Land

Presented by Leicester promotions company Speaks Volumes Events

The Empire Band of the Land competition was won by THE WAITS.

At the finals, held at the Leicester Square venue on Friday 5th June, the judges awarded the trophy for best band to The Waits, from Coalville. The joint runners up were The Holy Bones and M48.

The heats began in March. The over all winning band at the finals will get to play on the line up and open up for three major acts at De Montfort Hall in October.

The results of the heats:

There were 5 heats to determine the best band from each event, based on a ballot of the audience.

- Wayward Trippers - 1st Heat Runners Up
- The Waits - 3rd Heat Runners Up
- Paris Revolution - (Wildcard Pick)
- Hotel Zulu (Wildcard Pick)

1st Heat - Thursday 12th March at the Shed

Winner: Formal Warning, go through to the finals.

Runner up: Wayward Trippers go through to the semi-finals

2nd Heat - Thursday 26th March at Sumo

Winner: Mas Fina, go through to the finals.

Runner up: The Pennyhangers, go through to the semi-finals

3rd Heat - Thursday 9th April at the Shed

Winner: The Boobytraps, go through to the final

Runner up: The Waits, go through to the semi-finals.

4th Heat - Thursday 23rd April at the Donkey

Winner: Holy Bones, go through to the finals

Runner up: The Lowreys, go through to the semi-finals

5th Heat - Thursday 30th April at the Musician

M48 won through to the final

Deap People - came second and go through to the semi-final.

Semi-final 15th May

Semi-finals: date moved to Friday 15th May at Leicester Square (Rack n Roll), Belgrave Gate, Leicester

Music Industry Judging Panel

Wayward Trippers

The Penny Hangers

The Waits

Deap People

Charlie Jones and the Martyrs (wild card entry)

The Heroes (wild card entry)

(The Lowreys pulled out)

Empire Band of the Land Final - 5th June

with

Formal Warning (pulled out)

Mas Fina (pulled out)

Booby Traps

Holy Bones

M48

The Waits

Wayward Trippers