VARIETY was the spice that brought Simmons Park to life this weekend as crowds of more than 2,000 picnicked, relaxed, sang along, and danced at the final of Okehampton?s Battle of the Bands. An audience ranging from toddlers to pensioners watched local folk band The Pyrates scoop a closely-fought first prize in the competition, and were then entertained by tribute band Gaga, who rounded off the evening with a rousing rendition of Queen?s greatest rock hits. Organiser Richard Appleby said he was over-the-moon with Saturday evening?s event. ?The one thing that really struck me was how mixed the crowd was,? he said. ?There were so many groups there to relax and enjoy the party. There were little toddlers running around while their families relaxed and watched them. People had picnics and blankets ? two guys even had blow-up sofas to sit on. It had a real village fete feel to it, but on a massive scale.? Okehampton mayor Tony Leech was also full of praise for the event. ?The Battle of the Bands was a brilliant night out,? he said. ?The music was more varied this year, and the audience was made up of every age group in the town, most of who stayed to the end. How many towns can say that they had the most ardent heavy rock fans ?pogoing? to a folk rock group? (The Pyrates) We did on Saturday night, and the folk group won.? Six bands battled it out in the final. The Conrad Harpham Band took second place with its instrumental jazz funk, while beat boxers Vocal Evolution came third, creating what Mr Appleby could only describe as ?a wall of sound with just the human voice.? Psycho Billy band Devil Riders took fourth place, Torrington-based funk metal group Subliminal Army came fifth, and in sixth place were the ?high-energy teenage rockers? Output. Mr Appleby said that the standard of music throughout the night had been exceptionally high, but that the Pyrates had been ?a very popular choice? in first place. Headline Act GaGa also went down a storm. ?They played all the songs that everyone knows,? said Mr Appleby. ?The crowd was really packed down at the front, but the atmosphere was lovely. There was none of the pushing and shoving that you get at commercial gigs.? Only one incident of aggressive anti-social behaviour marred the event. Both Richard Appleby and Tony Leech were keen to condemn this. ?There are still some individuals who continue to try and wreck just about everything we attempt to do in this town,? Cllr Leech said. ?They are the same people time and time again and it is a crying shame that they cannot put their talents to a better use.? Both praised the voluntary stewards from Okehampton Round Table and the Air Cadets who controlled the crowds, as well as the community police officers who were present all night. Mr Appleby is now keen to build on the event?s success. ?I feel like we?ve now reached the stage where the event is really established,? he said. ?What I?d like to do now is to invite comments and ideas from people in the town to see what we can do next. I?d like to get more people involved. I can only do so much myself, but if we can get a team of experts on board, we can really develop the Okehampton Battle of the Bands into a national event. ?I?d love to hear from people with PR experience, or computer expertise, or practical skills, who might be able to help out. I?d also like to hear from anyone who?s got a good idea for a headline band for next year ?someone who will pull in a good mixed crowd of all ages,? he added. Mr Appleby is hoping to hold a public meeting later in the year to collect ideas and suggestions about the event, but is keen for anybody interested in becoming involved to contact him at Millennium Music in the town. He has been touched by the support for the event which he has already experienced. ?A lady from Okehampton dropped into the shop to say that she couldn?t make the event, but she wanted to donate £20,? he added. ?Then the White Hart offered rooms for the band, and Graham Hestor came in out of the blue to donate a boxful of trophies as prizes. The way the public has just come forward like that is really nice.? Tony Leech praised Mr Appleby for his own inestimable contribution to this year?s event. ?Although there is a small Battle of the Bands committee, Richard is the backbone and organiser of this yearly event and long may he continue to wish to do so,? he said. ?A great many thanks must go to him. If he is happy and able to carry on this successful event in the future, I hope that everyone will give him their support, as this is certainly one of the best things we can do to provide a worthwhile pastime and something to look forward to, for the youth of this town and the surrounding area. And who knows, it might just mean the making of a future music star?s career.?
