Defending champions the Fletcherz and new rival DubSide go through to the final of the 2011 Ultimate Battle of the Musos after winning the first heat of the fourth annual music competition in Queenstown's rebranded youth centre on Friday night.
Bands played in the first heat and the second heat will showcase soloists and duos on Friday, at 7.30pm. Entry is by gold coin to help keep the competition sustainable.
The best band wins not only a support gig for an established act in the Revolver bar, but also a slot in the warm-up for New Year's Eve festivities.
The best soloist or duo wins $200 for musical equipment from It Might Get Loud Music Company. The overall winner, or Ultimate Muso, will have the opportunity to professionally record their original song with Studio 183 owner Dave Allison and recording artist Andrea Cruickshank-Pearson.
The ticketed final will the held on October 7, at 7.30pm. Play it Strange chief executive, Split Enz co-founder and music industry veteran Mike Chunn will return for the second year as guest judge. Regular judges include top keyboard player Mark Wilson, songwriter-producer Sam Hillman and LA Social Club musicians Elsa Woods and Lindsay Woods, with Revolver co-director John Stapleton and It Might Get Loud co-director Reuben Pearce.
• X-it Youth Centre is being rebranded "The Youth Booth" following a merger of the two youth trusts into the Wakatipu Youth Trust, on April 1.
Youth workers Jacqui Moir, Laura Cross, Nathan Baxter and Fi Sawers continue to co-ordinate projects including cheffing, skating, boxing and climbing, plus DARE, open house in the Youth Booth each weekday, from 3pm to 5.30pm, and lunchtime activities in schools.
