Battle of the Bands contest to rock historic Kirkstall Abbey

Young musicians from across Leeds are being offered the unique opportunity to showcase their talents in an inaugural ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest set to be held in one of the city’s favourite landmarks.

In what promises to be an afternoon not to be missed on Saturday 11th July 2015 from 2pm-4pm, the iconic Kirkstall Abbey will be the setting for this special event, which featuring on the programme of the Kirkstall Festival, is open to 13-24 year-olds.

Before each band takes to the youth stage and perform a live 15 minute set as they battle it out for great prizes, they must first of all book their place in the final line-up by impressing a panel of experts with a video clip of their music. If successful, they will receive a telephone call from the Leeds Museums and Galleries Youth Engagement Officer, Angie Thompson, who will invite them to take part in the contest.

With only six places up for grabs, the ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition is sure to be fierce! Anyone interested in taking part are being urged to upload a video of their band performing to youth.curator@leeds.gov.uk as soon as possible. The deadline to submit your clip is 4.30pm on Friday 19 June 2015.

Organised by Leeds Museums and Galleries, for further information please contact Angie or Mark on: 07891 271922 (0113) 2305492 or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/battleofthebands

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:

"We are very excited at Leeds Museums and Galleries to be given the opportunity as part of the Kirkstall Festival to host our first ever ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest in the iconic setting of Kirkstall Abbey.

"Open to 13-24-year-olds this is a brilliant chance for young bands in Leeds to display their considerable talents to a big audience, and we cannot wait to hear them perform on the day. If you think you have what it takes to win the competition please send us a video clip before the deadline, and who knows, our expert panel of judges might just decide that your band has what it takes to feature in our ‘Battle of the Bands’ final line-up on 11 July."

Notes to editors:

Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian monasteries in Britain. Founded in 1152 by Cistercian monks, Kirkstall was a religious centre in Yorkshire until 1539 when it was closed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Visitors can explore the abbey ruins to discover where the monks worked, lived and prayed over 800 years ago, from the majesty of the church to the peace of the cloisters.

The Visitor Centre is home to displays about the abbey, which include dressing up and a shop selling unique bespoke products. Entrance to Kirkstall Abbey is Free. There are regular events at the abbey throughout the year, including the Kirkstall Festival every July.