including Bournemouth’s heat winner DD ALLEN


London’s O2 Academy Islington will be home to The Pogues Spider Stacy and The Libertines Gary Powell as they judge the winning band of The Pogues Irish Whiskey and Academy Events Shot At Discovery campaign, on Thursday 27 April 2017. Over 1,000 bands entered the competition and ten regional winners will battle it out at the final gig, hosted by DJ Matt Stocks (Scuzz TV / Life In The Stocks), in front of members of the public and music industry professionals.

Judges include Spider Stacy from The Pogues, The Libertines Gary Powell, Head of Academy Events, Ian Richards; 1965 Records founder, James Endeacott, who discovered The Libertines; Virgin Radioís Head of Music, Stephanie May; BBCís Introducing gigs presenter, Jack Suddaby and established music lawyer Stephen Kempner, from Sheridans, who has worked with high profile acts including Biffy Clyro, The Shires, Fun Lovin Criminals, and Deadmau5. The winning band will be decided on the night from a combination of industry judges and crowd voting.

The winning band will receive studio time to record an EP with members of the legendary band The Pogues as guest producers, nationwide gig opportunities throughout the O2 Academy venue network, £3,000 worth of music equipment, ongoing support through Academy Music Group and Brontone Management for development and assistance in releasing the EP and a case of The Pogues Irish Whiskey.

Comment from The Pogues: “We’re made up at how many bands have entered the competition, it’s a great prize that could kick start a professional music career. From the bands we’ve seen so far thereís more than one that deserves to win. We can’t wait for the final and look forward to working with the winning band.”

The ten finalists are
Bournemouth – DD Allen
Bristol – IDestroy
Oxford – Garden
Glasgow – Real Life Entertainment
Sheffield – The Velcro Teddy Bears
Liverpool – Big Bambora
Birmingham – Charles Dexter Ward & The Imagineers
Leicester – Stupid Boots
Newcastle – Many Moons
London – Bare Hunter

Tickets to watch the final Shot at Discovery gig at Londonís O2 Academy Islington on Thursday 27 April can be bought here.

The Pogues’ Irish Whiskey contains the legendary spirit and poetic rebelliousness of the Irish band. A robust blend of Irish grain whiskey aged in bourbon oak casks and single malt Irish whiskey aged in sherry casks, The Pogues whiskey has an aroma of malts and cracked nuts and an ABV of 40%, it’s not for the faint hearted. Available in 70cl bottles from online retailers including Amazon, Drinksupermarket and Master of Malt.

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