Swells Win battle of the bands and will open the Convoy free family fun day!

24 September, 2019

Shellharbour indie surf rockers “Swells” take out the first ever Convoy battle of the bands, and will perform at the i98FM Illawarra Convoy free family fun day, Sunday 17^th of November supporting JayneDenham, The Veronicas and Hoodoo Gurus.

The Convoy Battle of the Bands was the brain child of the Superior Carr Brothers lead bike team, to help raise funds for their lead bike bid in Convoy. Chris Beretovski from the team said ”I wanted to create an event where the community can get behind in the spirit of convoy fun laughter &
entertainment. Then the idea of a Battle of the bands came to mind & ticketed all the boxes.

We get to showcase the local music talent on one of the biggest stages at the Convoy Fun Day & get to back some huge music acts stars while raising much need funds. So I pitched it to the Superior Nutrition Carr brothers committee. That’s when we contacted Marty & Mark to see if it was
something Convoy would jump on board with & if it was possible to get the winner of the Battle of bands to play at Convoy.”

The event took place at Dapto Citos Bowling Club Saturday 14^thof September, to a packed house of music lovers. “For a first event of this type the buzz in the room was amazing” said Convoy manager Mark Rigby. Ten bands of varying styles battled it out performing three songs each to a packed room of music entusiasts, and they certainly had Citos rocking! “The talent on the night was incredible” Said Mark Rigby, Convoy Manager. “Every single band that performed on the night could have easily played at Convoy, the skill level was that high” Judging the event were i98FM’s breakfast hosts Ryan Crammy Cram, and Kristie Hayes, and Convoy Manager Mark Rigby. “This was such a difficult job. So many different styles of music, and such high quality. The talent in the Illawarra is incredible and we wished there was more opportunities for these bands to play” said Ryan Cram. “Unfortunately there is only one support slot for the winner at Convoy and there could only be one winner in the end and that was Swells. Their laid back surfie rock style really got our feet tapping and they just edged out the other bands who were all merely a point or two behind them in the scoring.”

Swells will not only get to perform at the i98FM Illawarra Convoy free family fun day but will also receive a copy of a multi camera live edited shoot, by professional WIN Network camera operators and editors of their performance valued at approximately $5000, and media coverage on i98FM’s social media platforms and Convoy’s website and Facebook. “The night was a massive success & we are already getting asked if we are holding another next year from bands & spectators” said Chris Beretov of the Superior Carr Brothers Lead Bike Team.

Nate Mathein, singer from Swells said "Its funny because at the end of the day we are just a bunch of mates that stumbled onto instruments, it hasn't sunk in that we are playing with worldwide bands... especially since we have only been around for 4 months or so. It's honestly just such a privilege to be apart of such an amazing cause like the convoy."

More information on the i98FM Illawarra Convoy and Free Family Fun Day can be found at:www.illawarraconvoy.com.au and you can check out Swells music here: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/swells-1