By ALANA MITCHELSON
KOOWEERUP-based band Panicking overcame stage nerves to be crowned this year’s champions of the Pakenham FREEZA Push Start Battle of the Bands competition.
The nine young acts were each allocated 20 minutes to win the judges’ hearts.
Kooweerup Secondary College senior-school students Amy Saunders and Rhiannon Anderson performed beautiful harmonies and exhibited their diverse musical talents with confidence.
The duo alternated between singing and playing the piano throughout their set.
The girls’ music teacher David Campbell, whose enthusiastic personality has been likened to a real life Jack Black from the School of Rock film.
“The story behind Panicking’s name is that they were both quite nervous and anxious about performing live, and it’s a way to make fun of that and conquer their nerves,” Mr Campbell said.
“They formed as part of their school project about a year and a half ago but they’re really good friends and it looks like they’ll continue their act after finishing VCE.
“I think they deliver really refreshing covers of classic songs.
“This competition is a great opportunity for these young bands to perform and FREEZA is so generous in trying to engage the youth.”
Cardinia Shire youth outreach officer John Veloso said one of the highlights of the night was 14-year-old soloist Alex Thompson from Emerald who performed a memorable a capella cover of an Elvis song which earned her second place.
“It was a fun night with a mix of family and friends supporting their school mates,” Mr Veloso said.
“It’s an exciting way to showcase new emerging young talent aged between 13 and 21.
“We also had Melbourne-based headlining acts Harrison Storm and trio Woodlock perform as special guests to inspire the kids.”
Kooweerup four-piece Terranium comprised pianist Justyn Connor, guitarist Alyssa Weaver and singers Jessica Saunders and Maddi Ross-Willism, who placed third, and played a combination of classics and contemporary covers.
First prize was a $100 gift voucher at Cranbourne Music and Panicking has gone into the running for the FREEZA state finals.
Second and first place received $75 and $50 vouchers respectively.
