DANCE BAND CONTEST

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30681, 22 February 1965, Page 14

DANCE BAND CONTEST

Five Groups Compete

About 700 teen-agers watched five local groups compete in the first heat of this year’s dance band contest at Canterbury Court on Saturday evening. The bands taking part were the Kor-Tels, the Chants, the Aotearoa Hostel Band, the Phantoms, and the Mark IV Enterprise. All the bands were professional or semi-professional, and most are well-established entertainers. Special guest performers for the evening were Ray Columbus and his group, the Invaders, originally from Christchurch. The contest was organised by Canterbury Court, which is jointly owned by the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. It is intended to give Canterbury bands the opportunity of presenting their talents to the public. Profits will be used to provide more facilities for Canterbury Court. Although 20 bands volunteered to enter the contest, the time available permitted the inclusion of only 12, six of which took part in the heats on Saturday.. Six more will appear in the second round on Friday. The finals will be held on February 27. The winners on Saturday were the Kor-Tels, the Chants, and the Phantoms. The judging was by audience voting. The audience, at first selfconscious, became more receptive as the evening progressed. The bands alternated on two stages set side by side, both with eye-catching back-drops depicting modern groups in action. There was a tendency to copy the styles of overseas groups, although several bands showed they had an original sound which was often pleasing.

After their considerable experience in Australia and their association with the Rolling Stones, Ray Columbus and the Invaders gave a polished performance.