Band of the Year Contest Cancelled
IBB Media has announced that it has cancelled its proposed plans to host its 2022 'Band of the Year' contest, which was to have been held on June 4th at King George's Hall in Blackburn.
In a press release IBB Media Managing Director, Martin Gernon stated, "It is a great shame that this event, which was widely supported and applauded on its debut success, has now had to be cancelled through lack of support by some bands. For the bands that did pledge their support to the event, I am extremely grateful. For the bands that declined to attend, largely due to having other projects planned as their reason, I am genuinely pleased and happy they are so busy in this post Covid period, as there are not too many promoters investing their money in this sector at present and the commercial landscape for UK bands is bleak at this time.
"The format of the event was extremely popular with bands and audience alike, and even with a £10k first prize on offer this year, it's a shame we had so many bands not wishing to participate. The nature and profile of our business has changed dramatically over the last 12 months with huge projects in the professional music and TV arena, but we still have a passion for brass bands. Events such as this, however, can only take place with the support of our leading bands."
Speaking about the potential for the future of event, Martin Gernon went on to state, "We have no plans at present to resurrect the event for 2023, unless firm commitment is given to the event by the majority of the top bands, instead investing the funds and time into new projects outside of UK banding. With no Butlins in 2023, this now leaves two gaping holes in the brass band calendar. We, of course, continue to wish every UK band well as they all hopefully return to some kind of normality, post Covid."
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