Beth Doherty
The Salisbury Music Awards took place at The Winchester Gate on Saturday, 31st July 2021. Among the big winners of the night were Echoes, Disco Dion, Lump and Robb Blake.
The young Salisbury band Echoes took home three out of four of their nominations, also winning Best Band of the year.
“We were amazed to win Best New Band and Best Young Band, and we were in complete shock to win Best Band 2020. To be honest we still can’t quite believe it.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be noticed and heard. We hope we can follow this up with some more songs that people love,” said Tom Armstrong, the band’s drummer.
“For a band to win the top prize the first time they have been nominated was probably a bit of a shock for some people but they are very talented and they showed in their performance how far they have come,” said event organiser Thom Belk.
Robb Blake, landlord of The Winchester Gate, was awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Salisbury Music award. Robb has booked live music for The Winchester Gate even before he owned the venue, contributing to the scene for the past 15 years.
Speaking to Love Salisbury, Robb said: “I was completely shocked, surprised, and humbled by the whole thing. I had no idea or any inkling that I was going to win.
“With the year we have all had it was a good event for local morale. It’s been tough for everyone, hardly anyone has been able to play music, so it’s great to be back.”
“Robb has been promoting music for a long time so it was thoroughly deserved and he was quite overwhelmed that he had won,” added Thom.
A full list of Saturday night’s winners:
Best Band 2020 sponsored by Jaffa’s Health Centre for Cats
Echoes
Best Live Band – sponsored by Sounds of Salisbury Podcast
Lump
Best Guitarist – sponsored by Lamb Engineering
Rob Ramsden (Solarbird)
Best Lead Singer – sponsored by Lamb Engineering
Becs Marchant (Solarbird)
Best Bassist – sponsored by Andrea Penna Photography
Nick Gowman (Lump/Solarbird)
Best Drummer – sponsored by Lamb Engineering
Colin Watterson (Lump/Punkture/The Consultancy)
Best Female Solo Performer – sponsored by Salisbury Gig Guide
Georgina Agombar
Best Male Solo Performer sponsored by Wade Digital
Jack Card
Best Covers Band – sponsored by Huntsman Tavern
Solarbird
Best New Band sponsored by Kickstand Marketing
Echoes
Best Young Band – sponsored by Rose Gale Trust
Echoes
Best DJ sponsored by Brown Street
Disco Dion
Excellence for Charity Work Jacqui’s Sunbed Studio
Disco Dion
Lifetime Contribution to Salisbury Music sponsored by Salisbury Live
Robb Blake
Andy Munns
