The Longview Stampede is geared up to host its first ever Battle of the Bands competition on Saturday, May 14.
The Battle of the Bands event will be a new way to raise money for Little New York Daze, which is an annual celebration during the Longview Stampede in July, and to showcase the local music scene.
Joy Lantz, who is one of the organizers for the event, said when they started promoting the event local bands and musicians were eager to participate the competition.
“We advertised on our website, Facebook and Kijiji and news traveled fast,” said Lantz. “I had all 10 bands confirmed within two weeks.”
There will be a variety of bands from the Longview area and from Calgary said Lantz. There will also be an assortment of genres presented at the event which will be held on May 14.
“There will be a huge range of music for everyone to enjoy. There will be everything from bluegrass to hard rock,” said Lantz.
Ten bands will be competing in front of five judges with prizes to be presented to the top bands. The first place winner will be awarded with an electric guitar custom painted for the Battle of the Bands competition. Second and third place finishers will win cash prizes.
Ryan McGonigal, lead singer and guitarist for the band Stray Arc, which will be performing at the Battle of the Bands, said he heard about the competition through his aunt and uncle who live in Longview and gave him the information about the event.
McGonigal said he is excited to play and perform his band’s indie style of music.
“I would describe our music as new classic rock. It’s definitely not heavy metal and it incorporates some blues and country,” McGonigal said. “It’s very diverse; like a mix of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Metallica.”
McGonigal said he expects his band to be successful at the competition.
“I think we’re going to do very well because even though we are more of a rock band we’re going to throw in a couple country covers. But we are going to mostly showcase our original songs so we can be exposed. Our music has a broad appeal and I have never met someone that doesn’t enjoy our music.”
Scott and Laurene Dionne entered their acoustic roots band, the Law of Attraction, into the competition because it looked like fun.
They launched their debut album in 2008 and have performed many shows in the Calgary area since then.
Scott said he and his wife aren’t taking the Battle of the Bands too seriously, however.
“We don’t really see it as too serious of a competition. It’s more of a good opportunity to get out there and do our thing.”
The Battle of the Bands will be held on May 14 at the East Longview Hall at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or for tickets in advance call 403-861-9724.
