ENTRY forms are available from today for Okehampton's 2007 Battle of the Bands. This will be the fourth time the musical contest has run in the town, and organiser Richard Appleby promises it will be better and more varied than ever this year. He said: 'I'm looking for a wider range of styles in the competition this year. 'We've had some great rock bands competing, but where are the reggae bands? Where's the soul and funk? I think bands doing those styles will go down really well.' There is room for just 24 bands to take part in the qualifying heats — and those places are available on a first-come first-served basis. Richard stressed that 'young and old are equally welcome. I don't want people to think that this is just an event for young people'. The heats for this year's competition take place on July 19 and 26 and on August 2 — prospective performers can specify their preferred date. But everyone entering the competition does need to be available for the open-air final, which will be in Simmons Park on August 11. Bands without a full set of equipment should also be able to enter the competition for the first time this year, thanks to the launch of the Battle of the Bands Instrument Library. The event's committee is currently looking for sponsors to donate funds to buy instruments which will be kept in that sponsor's name and then loaned out to young musicians. This equipment will hopefully include drums, guitars, amps, PAs and lights. The new scheme will allow more sponsors to become involved in the event. Richard said that so far the event has had 'fantastic support' from its sponsors, most recently receiving funds from West Devon Borough Council, and a grant of £1,000 from the EX20 lottery towards the new instrument library. Entry forms for the Battle of the Bands are available from Millennium Music in the Arcade, or by calling 01837 659249.
