10:51am Wednesday 15th July 2009
LOCAL unsigned Welsh band, The Last Republic, has made it through to the final stage of Virgin Media’s Road to V competition. As one of six finalists, the band is now a step closer to becoming one of the two winning acts that will get to kick- start the mighty V Festival this summer in Chelmsford and Stafford on August 22 and 23.
The Welsh five-piece has been described by Radio One’s Huw Stevens as ‘purveyors of soaring epic anthems’, creating ‘songs that start on a bed of ambient synths before working their way up into a gospel of driving rock.’ The band have supported both Placebo and The Levellers, and cite Neil Young, REM, Radiohead, The Cure, New Order and Nine Inch Nails among their eclectic mix of influences.
The band was personally chosen by Road to V mentors The Charlatans for their melodramatic, alt-rock sound and their amazing performance at The Great Escape Festival, where they opened for the rock legends. But now it’s up to the public to decide which two acts will win the competition.
Up until July 19 fans can go to the Road to V site and vote for their favourite act, after which the lucky winning acts will be announced. By voting, fans will automatically be entered into a draw to win the ultimate VIP V Festival experience, which includes return travel to the festival, a motor home for the weekend and a chance to watch the winning bands perform from the side of the stage!
The Last Republic lead singer Jonnie Owen, of Cwmgors, commented: “We are ecstatic to be in the final – it’s incredible to be recognised and hand picked by a band as talented as The Charlatans. It doesn’t get more humbling than that. Road to V is all we can think about. To win the competition and open the V Festival really would be the icing on the cake.”
You can vote for the band at www.roadtov.co/finalists/the-last-republic.
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