A bunch of bands that you may already know about all playing against each other for some developmental deal like a music World Cup… so here’s a rough description of what each sounded like even if you don’t care, or already knew.
The Marvels are like a less evil Scouting For Girls, in the way that their music doesn’t sound like the devil vacuuming up all the good in the world. They start by battering keyboards like someone trying to explain what Acoustic Ladyland sound like without a saxophone at hand. Competent pop songs that sometimes rock out and become very loud, a fine combination
Six Storeys High are essentially the band Nirvana would have been had Glenn Danzig been vocalist, possibly. It’s hard to find a more fitting description than that.
Steve Heron is very fond of the 1980s, apparent from his music, which draws on a variety of influences from that time. Heavily reliant on slick guitar riffs, he manages to make his music sound fairly modern despite his obvious inspiration.
Sebastian Dangerfield just isn’t as funny as he used to be. See that’s a joke because there was this comedian called Rodney Dangerfield and I’m conflating the two… if I had a coat I would get it. Anyway the band, not affiliated, are pretty outstanding, playing soulful folk/rock, rock/folk, (they have a banjo it has to be one of the two) that is irresistible at times. There’s a sneaking suspicion they’re romanticising what they sing about, but it sounds good all the same.
Scrap Brain seem to ascribe more to the competition element, attempting to work the crowd. Energetic is not the word to describe their performance. Actually, yes it is, the singer writhes on stage (and off stage) as if beset by some invisible fire that cannot be extinguished. The music is loud as hell, like Death From Above 1979 playing Stooges covers just after being told that their house has collapsed because of shoddy craftsmanship when they paid the builder up front. ..delightfully brutal.
Your First Mistake are a band playing a style of music as familiar as finding milk in the fridge, it’s probably best described as somewhere between post-hardcore and emo and they are clearly very good at this, sounding about as polished and professional as anyone could really expect unless they had really unfairly high standards. They’re not the most original band ever but they do a lot of important things right.
Nobody knows who won yet and it’s not important. So there.