Earlier this year "This Machine Is Off" entered the Jack Daniels Soundcheck battle of the band competition, up against 270 other bands from all around the UK. They won the first round, and got through to the regional final in which they kicked ass, and last night they went back down to Brimingham to compete in the National Final. Taking a coach load of stokie supporters with them, "This Machine Is Off" invaded Walkabout to compete against the other 6 finalists. From early on it was apparent that they were in a different class to the competition, but they had a long wait to play as they were billed last at 12am. 10 minutes before band came on their fans hit the dance floor and raised the roof with deafening chants of 'TMIO TMIO', and the judges couldn't help but pay attention. walkabout had turned from non atmospheric room, to complete madness in seconds. |
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The band started their set and performed better than they ever have before. The crowd went wild and everybody danced and screamed their hearts out. By half way through the gig, the whole of Walkabout was rocking, & the noise from the crowd rivaled any big stadium gig. It'll come as no surprise that they were announced as the winners, and the organisers would have had a riot on their hands had the decision gone elsewhere. It was clear cut, and everyone knew there was no way they couldn't have won after a performance and crowd reaction like that. Well done to Jake, Boonie, Hallie, Jamie and Gav, who are now off to America to record some songs as their prize.
The photo's on this page are all of the fans who travelled down to Birmingham to support the band. There will be a few sore heads today, I know mine is! |
