Newark Town Council & Newark & Sherwood District Council joined forces this year to stage the Festival of the Bands Competition - part of Live & Local 2008.  The event is a chance for local under 21's to demonstrate their musical talent to the people of Newark. 

Festival of the Bands took place at the Palace Theatre on Friday 18th July; the event was a huge success attracting a crowd of over 300 people.

5 bands took part in the competition; The Descendance, Jacket, The Trixx, Flatliners and Necrosis.  The event was judged by Mark Dicks - Crisis Studios, Dawn Bond - Newark Advertiser, Andy Jackson - Boundary Sound and the Mayor - Councilor Harry Molyneux.

The winners, The Trixx, who write and sing all of their own material, are a pop/ punk/ funk/ rock band containing Charlie Davison - Vocals, Georgina Taylor - Guitar, Stuart Smith - Drums and Peter Brandreth on Bass.  The competition was very close with The Trixx winning by only a couple of points beating 2006 winners Flatliners who took second place.

The prize for the winning band was a full days recording in the studio courtesy of Bluewater Pro Recordings.