Damien Paul, The Scores and The Golden Strands.
AFTER a hard-fought night of live music, the final acts have been selected for the grand final of Live/Wired.
Fans packed out Ryde’s Wight Rock Bar on Friday in what was one of the most dramatic heats in the history of the County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio.
A mistake by judges led to The Golden Strands and not The Scores being announced as finalists, alongside Damien Paul.
The Golden Strands faced having their final spot snatched away from them, when the error was discovered, but finalists and organisers then decided the band deserved a shot in the Live/Wired final.
They will join heat one winners Vanzatti and Alex Mountford and heat two victors The Scores and Damien Paul, in competing for the chance to play the IW Festival, a recording session and radio airplay.
Thousands of fans voted in the second round poll in the build up to Friday’s live heat and door staff at the Ryde bar were forced to turn some fans away after the free night filled the venue to capacity.
The Golden Strands opened the night with a set of melody-driven tracks and strong vocals.
The Scores followed up with their brand of well-crafted and confidently delivered indie. Cheered on by strong support, the band described their set as one of their best ever.
Bob Dylan-style punk folkster James Hunt filled the stage despite being the night’s only solo act.
It fell to Delta bluesman Damien Paul, backed by a band made up of some of the Island’s best blues musicians, to bring the curtain down on the night, testament to the strength and diversity of the Island music scene.
• Click here for pictures and videos of the acts.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk