Derbyshire Times Band of the Year - can you spot yourself in our retro special?

It’s been going strong in and around Chesterfield for over 20 years - and Derbyshire Times Band of the Year competition is still THE top battle of the bands contest around.

From the big hair and make-up of the 1980s - and that was just the men - to the grunge and rave scene of the 1990s - every genre of band has played at the finals over the past two decades.

In 1987 pop band The Tar Babies were the first to lift the coveted cup - and win a host of prizes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since then rock, punk, metal, folk, country and electronica bands have all got in the ring in a bid to be crowned the county’s top band.

In 1991 Lord Skaman and the Magnificent 7 lifted the Band of the Year title. Ecstatic fans carried trumpeter Richard Mosley on their shoulders and chants of ‘Skaman Skaman’ echoed round the Winding Wheel.

Matlock Bath rock trio Smoke claimed the 1993 title playing before a 500-strong audience.

Guitarist Sam Genders celebrated their win by spraying the crowd with a bottle of champagne.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And in 1995 pop/rock group Delirium jumped for joy after scooping the award.

Guitarist Anthony Ince back-flipped his way through the crowd to reach his pals on stage.

So if you think you’re good enough to lift the coveted crown - and get your hands on some top prizes - get your entries in now!

All you need to do is send us a band photo and a demo CD of three tracks, at least one of which must be an original.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A panel of experts will listen to the entries the top 12 to fight it out on stage at Real Time Live, Chesterfield.

You can post entries to Derbyshire Times, Spire Walk, off Derby Road, Chesterfield, S40 2WG or drop them off in person or at Real Time, on Marsden Street.

The final will take place on February 27 with semi-finals on February 13 and 20.