Here's a concept that works.  Pit five upcoming bands against each other, get them to perform three songs each, and have them judged by some highly knowledgeable music industry heavyweights, including Vince Power, Joe Barnes (Front Magazine), Julie Cullen (6 Music) and Kelly Chapel (Live Nation).  And for what prize? The chance to win their ticket to perform at the Benicassim festival in Spain.

Held at the intimate Pigalle Club in Piccadilly, Supajam was a lesson in how much new talent is out there and also, of course, how competitive the music industry really is.  The bands, “CODES”, “The Silk Pigs”, “JKLMNO”, “Doll & the Kicks” and “The Critical” each performed three original songs which proved to be an exciting format for the crowd, which was made up of some key music industry players.

JKLMNO, the third band to play on the night, are clearly heading places and so thought the judges who awarded them with top performance for the night and flights to Benicassim.  “We never do very well at this kind of thing”, said lead-singer, as well as acoustic guitarist and keyboardist, Carl Harrison after they had won.  “I was so nervous before the show, but it just came together once we got up on stage”.  It came as no surprise to hear from Carl that, “one of my greatest influences is Jeff Buckley”, and the band plays a versatile mix of down-tempo melody-driven tunes, with some slightly more rockier tunes mixed in for good measure.  The songs are lyric-driven, which Carl explains comes from studying English at university.  Featuring acoustic, bass and electric guitars, the band is also progressive in style slightly reminisce of Radiohead.  Clearly the band is chomping at the bit with excitement with the opportunity to head to Spain, and Carl summed it up when he said, “this is the biggest thing that's ever happened to us”.
 
However, the result was never clear-cut as every single band that played impressed the punters.  Starting off proceedings was CODES with their experimental rock and catchy choruses.  Immediately chasing CODES was the Silk Pigs led by charismatic lead-singer Brandon Webb wearing a hat so wide-brimmed that you could have sworn he was already in the Spanish sun.  “In Tents Humming” was a multi-paced rock song that without a doubt holds commercial appeal, but don't worry boys you are still true rockers.  They may not yet have a record deal, but surely it must just be around the corner for this talented band that play a great range of melodically-focused rock music.
 
Doll & the Kicks is also a band on the move, especially in the Brighton scene where they hail from.  Led by the wiry blonde-haired Doll, who captivated the audience with her prancing and dancing around stage but more particularly her singing, the band is as kooky as Tokyo.  It will be no surprise if this band soon strikes gold.