Features
The Tunnels, Aberdeen
Red Stripe Music Award – THE TUNNELS IN ABERDEEN – MARCH 21
From its subterranean home in Carnegies Brae, The Tunnels brings Aberdeen some of the best up and coming acts from all over the north-east.
The popular venue played host to six bands battling it out on stage for the finals with an eclectic mix of music pulsing the walls.
And around 50 music fans flocked to the underground tunnels to cheer on the Red Stripe Music Award hopefuls.
Soloist Justin Martin quickly struck a chord with dozens of music fans when he hit the stage first with his gravely voice and strong acoustic set.
The 19-year-old built up his set with the emphatic 'Hold On' then belted out 'My Hangover Cure' with a quick plug for his album at the end.
Justin said: "Neil Young is my idol. He jumps from the acoustic to electric guitar giving a good mix of mellow music and rock and roll sound.
"It's been a brave effort going solo, but I'm proud to say all the songs are my own. I just hope all the hard work finally pays off."
Next up was energetic Escape to Victory, with singer Jamie Greig, 22, thrashing out the band's political views to the crowd.
Guitarist Paul Sproat, 19, drummer Steve Cardno, 22 and bass guitarist Kirk Burton, 22, struck out their fast-paced set to a curious audience.
But as the crowd began to build up, the Aberdeen lads' thumping set soon got a few new fans bopping away.
With great stage presence, Jamie reached out to the growing audience with band favourites 'Smoke Screen' and 'Pulling Away'.
Lead singer Jamie stressed: "People need to think about the lyrics and what we are singing about - our aim is to cause a reaction.
"As a band, we are passionate about music and we want that to come across on stage. For us it is all about sending out a positive message in the most creative way."
Being big fans of The Clash, the lads have strived hard to develop their unique sound.
The Marionettes got the crowd up dancing strumming out their hits 'Sugarplum Fairy' and popular 'Le Foo' dedicated to their "dancing friend".
Drummer Derek Stewart, 18, bass/vocalist Paddy Buchan, 18, and guitarists Andy Smith, 18, and Daryl Rankin, 19, all breathed confidence on stage.
This was a fantastic effort for the guys who performed a good, lively set topped with Paddy's superb interaction with the audience.
And the alternative/indie band said they were pleased with their performance on the night.
Paddy said: "For the first year or so we were playing so much different stuff it was hard to really say who we were.
"But over the last six months we have really clicked together as a band and have finally found our sound.
"Our biggest influences are Blondie, REM and the Arctic Monkeys."
Zero the Fool opened up with 'Fortress' - the ultimate blast to keep the battle of the bands heat riding high on the night.
The powerpop rock band kicked off with their own thrashy style and did not let the crowd down by the end of the set.
Lead singer Darren Paterson, 23, and 27-year-old Colin McKenzie then belted out 'Harlequin Teas', 'Autumn' and 'Clarity Beach'.
Also performing well were band vocalist Chris Glen, 20, and bass player Lewis Benzies, 21, who let rip with stomping rifts during the set.
The enthusiastic lads are heavily influenced by Biffy Clyro and describe their music as energising rock/pop.
Darren said: "It's proved quite difficult for critics to pigeon hole our music, we have so many different influences such as jazz, classical and 80s pop.
"We felt it was a great performance and I engaged well with the crowd. Rock on the finals. That would be our biggest and best achievement so far."
Funky Vesuvian exploded on to the stage with 'Pull the Trigger', 'Can't Stop' and their hit wonder 'Fever'.
The four lads belted out a storming set with big thundering drum rolls pulsating through the walls.
Bass player Tom Bouttazi, 22, lead singer Ian Hay, guitarist Paul Gwynne, 28, and drummer Elliot Ferandez, 23, proved a band worth listening to.
Paul said: "Our music is heavily influenced by punk, blues and drums. But we like to listen to as many different types of music as we can and experiment.
"We have grown into our music in the same way as we have as a band.
"Getting to the finals would be a dream come true for us, playing in London would be such a buzz for the whole band.
"We're happy with our performance and hope it will help take us to the top."
Last on stage was local band Kashmir Red with their "wall of sound" performance.
The indie rock band's stand out melodies proved catchy with the audience as they belted out the chorus to send the night down.
Guitarist Chris Rogie, 26, drummer Lewis Young, 26, and bass guitarist/vocalist Steven Winton, 26, are keen to go down a storm in America.
Steven said: "It went well tonight but we have played better. We've got a big fan base building up in Aberdeen so are getting the opportunity to play more gigs.
"It would mean the world to us if we get to the finals. It would be a great experience. But at the moment we are enjoying having fun, that's what it is all about."
They are all big fans of the Beatles, The Strokes, Kings of Leon and Oasis.
Search Site
Win Tickets & Gear
Don't miss out on secret gig tickets, signed merchandise and red stripe offers