Nailsea musicians in final of band competition
By Carol_Deacon | Thursday, August 26, 2010, 10:14
TWO Nailsea musicians will learn tonight whether they have won a national band competition.
Bristol-based band Diego has made it through to the final of a national Bands Battle competition where they could win the chance to support The Stranglers and Mumford & Sons.
Diego, which is made up of bass player Matt Wilson and keyboard player Neil Kelly, both from Nailsea, drummer Emily Wilson, lead guitarist Robin Davey and guitarist and lead singer Keiran Jefferson from Bedminster, said they wanted to thank everyone who voted and have supported them through the Bands Battle competition.
Hosted by Triumph motorcycles, indie rock band Diego was one of 88 bands which amassed more than 20,000 votes competing for the chance to support the headline acts at Triumph Live on Saturday, September 18, at Mallory Park, in Leicestershire, in front of a 10,000-strong crowd.
Much to their delight they were one of seven bands to qualify.
On Thursday they will play at a secret gig where three winners will then be announced.
Diego frontman Keiran, aged 32, said: “This is unbelievable.
“We appreciate all the support everybody has given us to get us through. “It’s such a great opportunity and a dream of ours to play alongside such big names as Mumford & Sons and The Stranglers.”
Hailing from the humble beginnings of Bristol’s eclectic open mic scene, Diego has grown into a five-piece marvel, hotly tipped to be the ones to watch.
Next month they will launch their new studio recording Escape, exclusively at BrisFest.
Comments
Yes I can confirm that Cats and Criminals, The Dunwell Brothers, Burning Shapes and Diego will all be playing on 18 Sept at Mallory Park alongside Mumford & Sons and The Stranglers. The Band Battle Showcase webpage you quoted isn't written very well but I believe the last line refers to the fact that Cats and Criminals actually won the competition and will, I'm guessing, be playing just before Mumford & Sons - the other bands will be on earlier during the day. Cats and Criminals also receive a second prize to be Triumph's official band for the year. As for Diego though - we are all definitely going and playing at Triumph Live and are very excited at the opportunity. Thanks - Neil from Diego.
By wearediego at 10:54 on 31/08/10
ReportI would like to tell you they won but they didn't and came third - but whether they are playing at the actual gig I am absolutely confused. This is what it says on the official website about The Band Battle Showcase: "From 6pm last night, The Triumph factory was rocked by the sound of the Band Battle showcase. The finalists travelled from far and wide to perform at the gig, unprecedented in Triumph’s history. Every single band acquitted itself superbly and the evening got off to a great start with Bristolians, Diego. Redline, The Dunwell Brothers, The Dirty Laws and Burning Shapes followed in expert style, each showcasing their own unique sound on Triumph’s purpose-built stage. A performance from judges’ choice, Cats & Criminals had the audience dancing and the night was brought to a stylish climax with the girls from Devon, Sound of the Sirens. With each attendee given one vote, adjudication began immediately and it wasn’t long before the votes had been counted and independently checked. And the results are...in first place, Cats and Criminals and in second place, The Dunwell Brothers. Diego took the bronze and with space created on the bill for a judge’s choice, Burning Shapes were also given the opportunity to play at Triumph Live. We look forward to welcoming all four on Saturday, September 18, with special congratulations to Cats and Criminals who support Mumford and Sons and become Triumph’s official band." So it looks as if they are still playing, I think?
By Carol_Deacon at 14:49 on 28/08/10
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