SNAPAROCK WINNERS: Nelson band Urban, from left; Richard Bradley, Betsy Hill, Mat Charles, David Turnhout and Nao Uda. The band received over a quarter of the total votes in an online competition to open Snaparock, which is part of September’s Snapafest festival in Nelson.The competition was run through www.nelsonlive.co.nz. Photo: Kate Russell.

Urban to open Snaparock

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The votes are in, and local band Urban have won a spot to play alongside an impressive line-up of Aussie rockers at Snaparock, which is coming to the Trafalgar Centre in September.

Urban were just one of 12 bands that entered the competition, with the public casting over 700 votes last month. The top three acts – Urban, Bryce Wastney and Cover Me – were then put to Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup, drummer from Sydney super-group The Dynosaurs, who chose the overall winner.

Speaking to the Nelson Weekly, Buzz said it was a “hard choice” picking a winner.

“All three acts had something special about them, but in the end I went for Urban as they would most likely bring a younger demographic to the concert and, as locals, they will have some good support from their fans,” he said.

“All artists were right up there as far as talent and professional attitude are concerned, and it was great to hear the diversity in the music of each of these artists.”

Urban bass guitarist Mat Charles says playing at Snaparock is a “huge opportunity” for the band.

“I’m happy that the work we put in with our fan base, in terms of getting votes, translated into winning the gig,” he says. “For me, it’s another important step as we continue to grow our fan base locally and further afield.”

Guitarist David Turnhout says it also means a lot that they got the tick of approval from Buzz.

“We have had so much support, especially for this competition as well as our debut album, and it’s greatly appreciated.”

Snaparock will take to the Trafalgar Centre stage on Friday, 16 September, in a concert which features legendary Aussie acts Mental as Anything, The Dynosaurs, Angry Anderson and The Narcs.

The concert is part of the two-day Snapafest, which continues at Founders Park on Saturday, 17 September, with local seafood cuisine on offer.

For tickets to Snaparock, head to www.ticketek.co.nz/snapfest. A member from the voting public is still into win a double-pass, and will be announced next week.