AFTER many months of campaigning and four heats featuring the some of the best musical acts Laois has to offer, the last six acts have been chosen for the final of Laois Bands for Electric Picnic which will be held in Sky Venue on Saturday August 7.
Nine bands performed at the last two heats which took place in The Square Bar last Thursday and in Napper Tandys last Saturday evening. The Keepers emerged as winners of the third heat after a rip roaring set in the Square Bar and Portlaoise native J
ames O' Connor was announced as the winner of the 4th heat in Stradbally.
The two audience votes were also announced at the last heat and these two acts were voted as the most popular acts picked by fans who attended each of the four heats. These two acts are Kevin Healy and Nova Static and they join James O' Connor, The Keepers, Honest Can and The Little Smoke to complete the six finalists. The countdown is now on for the final which is less than two weeks away, and all six acts are busy rehearsing and perfecting their sets for their sets.
On the night they will be performing in front of Declan Forde who will be representing POD and the Electric Picnic. Thomas Cosby of Cosby Hall in Stradbally will also be judging the winning act on the night. The winner will have the opportunity to open the Cosby Tent in Electric Picnic on Friday September 3.
This night promises to be a showcase of some of the top Laois acts at the moment, with all six finalists wowing the audiences who saw them perform at the heats. The final acts are accomplished musicians, each with talent and enthusiaism and drive. This will be a very special night for Laois music and organisers are hoping that Laois music fans will come along on the night to support their favourite acts in their quest to play at this year's Electric Picnic. Details and full profiles of each of the six winners will be featured in next week's Stage Left.
The six finalists are -
Honest Can
Nova Static
The Keepers
The Little Smoke
Kevin Healy
James O'Connor