Slade legend Dave Hill to be head judge for Compton Hospice Battle of the Bands

Legendary Slade lead guitarist Dave Hill is set to be head judge for the Compton Hospice Battle of the Bands contest at West Park on Sunday June 26.

Wolverhampton’s own iconic glam rocker will head a panel of entertainment experts as the bands perform in a sing-off, in front of a 4,000-strong crowd at the Compton in the Park fun day.

Eight groups from across the Midlands have lined up to fight it out in the Battle of the Bands contest.

The six most popular bands will perform live at West Park with the best band winning a professional recording session at Wolverhampton’s Bullet Studios and a day-long photoshoot with Dark Lens Photography.

The first round of the battle has started after phone lines opened on Monday June 13 for supporters to vote by text for their favourite group.                                   

                                                                                                        Photo from Flickr by Migamunck 

The votes will decide which six bands go through to perform in the final. Text votes will also be added to the scores from the judging panel to decide who is crowned the winner.

Each vote will raise money for the hospice’s Raise the Roof capital appeal, helping to pay for the £3.5m redevelopment of the main hospice unit. Texts will cost 50p plus the standard network rate with 22½p from each vote going to the hospice.

The length of time fans have to cast their vote has been extended until 5pm on Monday June 20 – for details and to listen to clips of the bands go to the fundraising event pages of the Compton Hospice website.

Dave Hill will feel at home with the range of bands who have entered. They include Freeze, a four-piece rock and pop group, all aged 13, from Featherstone, alternative metal group Grace the Skies, made up of members from across the Black Country, and classic rock ‘n’ roll ensemble Drink and Jive from Coventry.

“Having Dave Hill heading the panel certainly adds a real bit of rock ‘n’ roll glam to the day,” said Katie Love, from Compton Hospice fundraising.

“And who knows if he’s impressed it could be the big break for those taking part.

“But supporters need to get texting to give their band the best chance of performing for the judges on the day and to get their hands on the great top prize. All their votes will raise money for the hospice,” she said.  

To vote, text BOB then space followed by A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H for your favourite to 80889 as follows:  

Arcane Rage – BOB A

Shatter Effect – BOB B

FlyByNature – BOB C

Freeze – BOB D

Drink & Jive – BOB E

Grace the Skies – BOB F

KnoxVille Highway – BOB G

The Good Swimmers – BOB H

For further details contact Katie Love on 0845 2255 497.