Influx of Insanity crowned as winners of ‘best ever’ BurySOUND band competition

BurySOUND 2018 winners Influx of Insanity, from Cambridge. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)

The grand final of BurySOUND, which was first launched in 1998 to champion new music in the area, was held at the Apex on Friday, and saw more than 400 people attend.

The final line-up was made up of all the winners from the five competition heats – Indecision, Influx of Insanity, Kelodown, Kyanos, Organ of Conti and also featured a guest slot from the winners of last year’s competition, Tundra.

Kelodown at BurySOUND. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)

Cambridge-based progressive rock two-piece Influx of Insanity were crowned overall winners and were awarded a host of prizes including a one day recording session at The Shrubbery Recording Studios in Bury St Edmunds, two days tour van hire, and a photoshoot.

Psychedelic quartet Kyanos, from Bury St Edmunds, picked up the brand new ‘Rising Star’ award and also received a day’s recording session and other prizes including a slot at this year’s Homegrown Music Festival in Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds.

Indecison performing at BurySOUND 2018. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)

Bury-based hard rockers Kelodown and Organ of Conti also received a day’s recording session at The Shrubbery Recording Studio, and Indecision, from Cambridge, will record for a day at Crooks Hall Studio in Sudbury.

Seymour Quigley, events manager at BurySOUND, said: “On behalf of everyone involved in BurySOUND 2018, we’d like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who helped to make our 20th Anniversary year our best ever.

Organ of Conti perform at the grand final of BurySOUND 2018. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)

“Over 400 people came along to last Friday’s grand final at The Apex to see incredible sets by the heat winners and our amazing guest headliners – and winners of BurySOUND 2017 – Tundra.

“The winners were announced by three previous BurySOUND organisers; Tom Ogden (who ran it from 2015-2017), Simon Pickering (who ran it from 2006-2014) and Jackie Smith (who co-founded BurySOUND in 1997, and ran it from 1998-2005).

BurySOUND organisers past and present. Left to right: Simon Pickering, Tom Ogden, co-founder Jackie Smith, Seymour Quigley, Tim Willett. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)

“We’ll be back next January for BurySOUND’s 21st year, and we’ll be taking applications from September onwards.”

Audience prizes were awarded at this year competition, with a £30 Hardcore Hobbies voucher, and a Vinyl Hunter gift bag, including a £10 record voucher.

Last year's BurySOUND Tundra will perform at the grand final on March 9. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)

Kyanos perform at BurySOUND 2018. Picture: TARYN DRISCOLL (Image: Archant)