The Australian Hotels Association NSW (AHA NSW) has named Inner West band, Spruced Moose as the winner of its 2018 Rockin’ the Puburbs live music competition.

This is the second year for the competition, which this year saw nearly 200 pub acts from across the state enter, and the judges said they were impressed with the “raw energy” of the five piece alternative band.

“As a panel, we considered Spruced Moose displayed a talent and raw energy, and we are excited to watch as they develop further,” said AHA NSW Director of Liquor and Policing John Green – one of the panel of judges.

“Spruced Moose was the band which most reflected what Rockin’ the Puburbs is about – giving aspiring musicians an opportunity. They were the winners from a quality field.”

The band will now receive support of up to $12,000 towards a pub tour from AHA NSW. Band members will also receive $3000 towards a dedicated tour publicist and a mentoring session with an APRA AMCOS industry ambassador – worth approximately $15,000 in value.

AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the competition is all about supporting live music in pubs.

“Many of Australia’s top music acts first got their start down at their local and the aim of Rockin’ the Puburbs is to support local music talent and give them a leg up in the industry,” he said.

“This competition is part of the AHA’s strong tradition of support for live music and I congratulate Spruced Moose on their win.”

Spruced Moose is made up of Nigel Malcolm (keyboard), Alex Blair (electric guitar), Angus Bowring (vocals), Declan Bowring (bass guitar) and James Angus Mackinnon (drums).

They describe their set list as “an array of tunes ranging from goofy surf-pop to searing, head-banging jams… The Moose’s live set will leave you buzzed and wanting more.”

Andy Young

Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Clubs.

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