PETERSFIELD's music scene will get a shot in the arm on Saturday when an exciting rock night takes place at The Avenue Pavilion.
The live showcase, which starts at 7.30pm, boasts some of the hottest young bands Petersfield can offer and has already sold out.
Headlining the five-band event is The Expidition, a rock act formed by students at South Downs College.
They share
the bill with four bands featuring pupils of The Petersfield School, including pop-punk act Chubby Mother, metal band Syzergy, rock covers outfit Mercury Rising and pop-punk covers group Lucky 19.
The Music Academy, which rents out rehearsal space to young bands at Buriton Business Park, has arranged the gig in order to give some of its teenage bands live experience and help them build up a fanbase.
Promoter Vincent Hearn said it was a chance for musicians to perform in front of a crowd outside the confines of their school hall or studio.
He added: "TPS has its performing arts centre which does qualifications in music, but they are more practical.
"What I think is quite interesting is that some youngsters feel quite inhibited playing at school.
"For them it does not seem real enough, so this show is an opportunity to give them some real gigging experience supporting established bands from outside the area."
The gig is being staged using a professional PA system and lights show.
No alcohol will be sold at the venue and security is on hand to make sure fans enjoy the music safely.
Vincent (21), who's band The Safe Harbour is releasing a debut EP through iTunes in February, has been working with several bands in his role as a guitar teacher at The Music Academy.
He has encouraged guitarists, drummers and bassists to get together, form bands and write their own songs, and he believes the groups are at a stage where they need to play live.
He hoped the gig would be the first of many and would encourage more youngsters to pick up instruments and play music together.
"What we are aiming to do is to create a profile for these young bands and help them hone and develop their craft," Vincent said.
"If this one goes well we are planning to do more a couple of months apart."
He added his long-term ambition was to build up a music scene strong enough to be able to put on a summer festival featuring Petersfield groups which could rival East Hampshire District Council's Butserfest.
For more information about the show visit www.themusicacademy.co.uk
