Newcastle trio Herd Immunity have been crowned the state’s best pub band at the AHA NSW Rockin’ the Puburbs Grand Final.
The trio, led by brothers Tim and Tom Toft, battled it out with four other bands live in front of a panel of judges and a crowd of music fans at Selina’s at Coogee Bay Hotel last night.
The judges unanimously voted for Herd Immunity saying they had a great sound and “were everything a pub band should be”.
Judges said the Aussie rock trio who formed during the pandemic, “had the X factor” and vocals that “had grit when they needed it and were crystal clear when they needed to be.”
The trio will take home $15,000 cash, get an interview on Triple M’s Homegrown and a support slot at a Noisy Group show.
Solo artist Abbey Lane took home the song writing award and won a full day of song-writing instruction with musician, record producer and founding bass guitarist of Noiseworks, Steve Balbi at his Sydney studio.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said more than 500 acts have entered Rockin’ the Puburbs since its inception and the competition continues to grow.
“This competition is our way of recognising how much value live music adds to a great hotel and a way to give the next generation of local talent a leg up,” said Mr Whelan.
“Hotels have really embraced the Minns Government’s vibrancy reforms and it is clear from the standard of this year’s entries that the pub music scene is only getting better.”
“Each year this competition reminds us why continuing to support live music is not just good for hotels but is beneficial to the community at large.”
Entries were open to any NSW pub act with at least one song of original material and grand finalists; Abbey Lane, Herd Immunity, No Bull, Off Judy and The Hype Boys were chosen from more than 100 entries from right across NSW.
The night was opened by Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham and the judges were NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues, Steve Balbi, Head of Sound NSW, Emily Collins, AHA NSW Director of Liquor and Policing John Green, Emma Nichols from Triple M, and Tom and Matt from The Harbour Agency.
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