The AHA Rockin’ the Puburbs announced New South Wales’ best pub band last week at its long-awaited Grand Final.
Hosted by Selina’s at Coogee Bay Hotel, finalists Abbey Lane, Herd Immunity, No Bull, Off Judy and The Hype Boys found themselves performing in front of a crowd and judges including NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues, and AHA NSW Director of Liquor and Policing, John Green.
Judges unanimously voted for Newcastle trio Herd Immunity, saying the Aussie rock group “had the X factor” and was “everything a pub band should be”.
The band won $15K cash, a support gig at a Noisy Group show and an interview on Homegrown, Triple M.
Songwriting award was given to soloist Abbey Lane who won a day of song writing instruction with former Noiseworks musician and producer Steve Balbi.
Live music is a major element to the Australian economy, employing 65K full-time and part-time workers. Expert studies report that for every dollar spent on live music, three dollars of benefit is returned to the wider community.
Each year over 75K live performances are hosted by NSW pubs, and AHA NSW CEO John Whelan says even more NSW pubs now host live music, due to the Minns Government’s vibrancy reforms.
The competition has helped revive live music, with NSW now boasting over 435 live music venues.
Since its inception over five hundred bands have entered the battle, and it 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,” Whelan said.
“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.
“It is clear from the standard of this year’s entries that the pub music scene is only getting better.”
