About Ampfest
Plug In. Rock Out.
Designed by young people for young people, the first AmpFest - Clash of the Bands competition was held in 2003 with over 57 enthusiastic bands applying to take part.
The Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) from the Towns of Cambridge, Claremont, Mosman Park and Vincent and the City of Subiaco developed the idea to give local youth an opportunity to participate in the live music scene.
Since then AmpFest has grown and developed and is now proudly organised by the YACs from the Towns of Claremont and Mosman Park, Shire of Peppermint Grove and the City of Subiaco.
From the start the AmpFest team wanted to make sure this was not your average battle of the bands competition. Focused on providing great prizes, professional development and some real industry experience, AmpFest participants stand to gain a lot more than just the title of AmpFest winner. All 12 finalists are invited to a Band Development Workshop at Central TAFE Leederville and get to meet and learn from some of the Perth music industry's most experienced members.
If performing music isn't your thing, there are still plenty of opportunities to become involved in AmpFest. You can learn new skills in event management and promotion, or come along to the heats and final to support the bands and enjoy the free music!
Since 2003, the format for each AmpFest has remained the same with the participating councils hosting the three heats and the final. Four bands play at each heat, with the winner going through to the final. A fourth wild card band is selected by the judges to participate in the final.
Drug Aware Band Development Workshops
This year all AmpFest entrants are invited to participate in the Band Development Workshops. These workshops provide industry knowledge and skills designed to inspire the bands. Workshop topics include recording, management, song writing and seeking and writing successful grants.
2010 speakers are Pete Guazzelli (Funding), Matt de la Hunty (Songwriting & Arrangement), Rob Agostini (Pre-Production), Luna Parade, Tenille Elkins (APRA), Scott Adam (Artist Management)
AmpFest Compilation CD
A new component for AmpFest in 2005 was the production of the AmpFest compilation CD. All the bands involved in the heats (12 in total) had the opportunity to record one track to feature on this CD. The production of a compilation CD provides all heat participants with a tangible reward for participating in AmpFest thus offering a prize for all bands that make it through to the heats. The AmpFest Best & Pressed Compilation CD was again produced in 2006, 2007 and 2008. You can download tracks from these CDs by searching the band biographies on the 'Archive' section of this website. Unfortunately the AmpFest compilation CD will not be available in 2010.
School Concerts
A series of high school concerts are organised in the lead up to AmpFest to encourage young bands to enter the competition.
The concerts are held at both public and private schools to promote the benefits of the competition, especially to female bands who may be interested in participating. Previous winners of AmpFest are invited to perform at the schools and the AmpFest Best and Pressed CDs are also made available to students. For further information about the school concerts please contact Kris Dimitroff at WAM (The West Australian Music Industry Association) on 9227 7962.
You can now download a slideshow of the Concert at UWA (University of Western Australia).
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