Bands and soloists went head-to-head for first place at the UOW’s UniBar music competition The Jam last Friday.
Performed in front of a group of judges, the artists battled it out for three hours competing for the chance to win prizes.
Echidnacia drummer Jason Kelly said an event like The Jam can be very beneficial for bands and soloists.
“The exposure and experience of an event like The Jam is quite sought after,” Mr Kelly said.
“The Jam is good to get your name to a different audience, including those of major music festivals, such as Yours and Owls.”
The first prize for the winning band included a song-writing masterclass, a $100 Haworth music voucher, and a weekend pass and performance opportunity at the Yours and Owls festival.
Business Doing Pleasure band member Oliver Lojek explained that The Jam was a great opportunity for his band to gain exposure to a different audience.
“The Jam was super important to us,” Mr Lojek said.
“It allowed us to hone in on our style and figure out how we wanted to set ourselves apart.
“For us to play to more people and be seen by people under 60 is absolutely huge.”
Business Doing Pleasure managed to secure second place in the band division due to its funky disco sound, that had audience members up and dancing.
“It was super exciting and absolutely insane,” Mr Lojek said.
“It was such a great feeling and it really boosts the energy on stage as well.”
Earning second place in the competition is an achievement that Mr Lojek and his fellow Business Doing Pleasure band members did not anticipate.
“We didn’t really expect to win second place, because we didn’t really play Yours and Owls type music,” Mr Lojek said.
“We thought that we probably wouldn’t be considered for it because we wouldn’t be the right pick.
“But to be second place and offered recording was really great and super exciting,” he said.
Band Lemonise from Sydney managed to earn first place and will go on to perform at the Yours and Owl’s festival.
The festival is set to be held at the UOW campus on October 14th and 15th and is expected to attract 40,000 music lovers.