Hoping to prove that when it comes to music, Colchester can match Liverpool and Manchester, the finalists of this year's Battle of the Bands have just been announced. For the past few weeks bands from the Colchester area have been sending in their finely crafted demos with the aim of making it into the final eight, who will be riffing their hearts out at the Colchester Arts Centre on May 10. Now in its fifth year, Colchester Battle of the Bands encourages local young people who are creating original music to develop their musical talents. On the night the top eight will each play a live slot in front of a packed out audience on a stage that has been graced by the likes of Ash, the Strokes and most recently the Subways. The overall winner will be selected by a panel of three judges active in the local music scene. For more information, or to buy tickets, call the arts centre box office on 01206 500900. Read more about the finalists and listen to their music by following the links on the left. To watch a video of last year's Battle of the Bands final, click here

Coda Red Another band that showed how good the town's young rock talent are, when they impressed at the recent Rock Prom. User Rating: 9.6/10     Reader comments (23)

Collision Theory A late replacement for Heroes of a Ghost Town, who had to pull out of the competition, but don't let that fool you, because this group certainly has the talent to win on the night. User Rating: 7.8/10     Reader comments (2)

Five Day High Colchester pop rockers who were formed early last year. User Rating: 9.3/10     Reader comments (19)

For Everything A Reason For Everything A Reason formed a year-and-a-half ago in college, originally as a four-piece under the name Dark Fire. User Rating: 8.7/10     Reader comments (11)

On The Roof A four-piece formed from a group of mates who attend the Colchester Institute's prestigious music course. User Rating: 7.1/10     Reader comments (3)

Shotgun Affair Truly the band to beat, bearing in mind their recent pedigree in Battle of the Band competitions. User Rating: 6.4/10     Reader comment (1)

Stand Still Kid Fresh from their success as Colchester Sixth Form Battle of the Bands winners, this group will be hoping to emulate last year's BOTB winners, Legion of Legomen. User Rating: 7/10     Reader comment (1)

Tequila Rose

Named after a strawberry liqueur, if their Myspace site is anything to go by, this four-piece group are made-up of Terry Hunter on vocals, Craig Sullivan on guitar, Tom Hyde on drums and Kris Sawkins on bass.

User Rating: 8.4/10

Reader comments (2)

The Golden Fist This group have been playing together from the age of 15. User Rating: 8.2/10     Reader comments (2)