BANFF – Tommy’s Unplugged, Banff’s battle of the bands, is back rockin’ the stage and looking to crown its next winner.
Open to solo acts, duos, trios and full bands, the music competition returns Wednesdays at 10 p.m. at Tommy’s Pub in downtown Banff starting Nov. 20 until the Dec. 18 finals.
With cash prizes and gigs at future events, entry forms to the 12th edition of Tommy’s Unplugged are still available and can be picked up at Tommy’s Pub on Banff Avenue.
“It’s to build the music community,” said Garry Gonis, organizer and local music legend. “We have some rules: someone will win, someone won’t win, whatever. But it’s just to build that music community here and get a vibe going and have people be individuals with their music.”
Gonis, frontman of The Ramblin’ Hey, Ho, Ha’s, has hosted the competition since 2012 inside the locals’ favourite pub.
At the competition, where musicians have 30-minute sets to show their best stuff, judges seek out sound, musicianship, stage presence, and that little extra oomph to put them over the top and stand out. As part of the rules, musicians are allowed to play originals and covers. Percussions are encouraged, but drum kits are prohibited inside the smaller venue.
At the end of it all, the winner will receive a $500 grand prize, while second place takes home $300 and third place gets $200.
Preliminary rounds are Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 4. The semifinals are Dec. 11 and the finals hit the stage Dec. 18 when a winner will be crowned.
Musicians will get 30 minutes per set in preliminary rounds and the finals, but the semifinals will have just 15 minutes to fit all bands in the tighter schedule.
“You put your best stuff in 15 minutes and you just give ‘er,” said Gonis.
Last year, Bow Valley newcomer and singer/guitarist Carly Mackerras took the competition by storm with strong vocals and stage presence and won the whole thing. Along with Mackerras, recent winners include the Bow Valley Bandits, Tyler Wood Band, Panic Station and Buena Hermano.
“We’re looking for some surprises. It would be nice to see something different and something captivating,” said Gonis. “That’s kind of what I’m looking for this year."
