OMA’s 2022

Black Water County

Spanning nearly a decade together, folk punk outfit they have deviated over time from the well-trodden path of teenage insolence to a vigilant state of introversion; hoping to gleam affinity through stories of the downtrodden and heartbroken.
With venue doors finally re-opened after Covid, the band besieged their way back out into the world with an eagerly awaited, first ever headline show at the O2 Academy Bournemouth in
March 2022 – a rare unsigned event for the historical venue. With a reprieve of the cancelled album tour in mind, the Spring also saw another sell out UK tour, followed by a slew of UK and EU festival appearances throughout the summer alongside an even bigger Autumn 2022 UK tour.

Raygo Bloom

Previously being an acoustic duo consisting of two brothers we have now stepped it up and become a 4 piece Indie Band from Bournemouth. Currently making waves around Dorset with singles constantly being dropped and aired on BBC Introducing and many other radio stations. Our debut single as a 4 piece has just been released called ‘False Promises’.

Lee Rasdall-Dove

Bournemouth based singer/songwriter Lee Rasdall-Dove best describes his music as a blend of Folk/Pop and Soft Rock. Lee writes in a range of genres and likes to explore his creative boundaries to challenge his songwriting abilities. He has performed alongside artists such as Luke Concannon, Will McNicol, Sean McGowan and Hattie Briggs.
In 2016 he completed a tour of the UK with Coffee House Sessions, coinciding with the release of his debut EP “Head In The Clouds”.
This outstanding musician has played numerous gigs in his local area of Dorset and surrounding counties for a number of years, and supports his original music by playing solo cover gigs, offering recording and one shot music videos to other local artists.

Millie Watson

Her musical journey started in Kent at age 13 where she would tour the local open mic nights and festivals with her Dad. Since then, She has developed her own unique style of writing, which takes inspiration from her sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking life experiences so far. With her Folky Lyrics and soulful voice, Millies’s songs aim to take the audience on a journey of thought-provoking emotions. Which can be heard in her latest EP “Schizophrene Dream”. Her songs range from political foot stompers, to emotional ballads dedicated to her brother, which claw at every heart string. After the Success of her first EP Millie has spent her time performing at festivals, and playing round the bustling bars and venues of Dorset. Millie is currently working on her Next EP, which she will be releasing in 2023! watch this space.

Dom Patience

Dom has been promoting in Bournemouth now since 2002. He started off with a show at his school for charity which eventually led to his first show in a proper venue on December 22nd 2002. Since then he has booked in most of the local venues including Mister Smiths, The Gander, The Villa (and Sound Circus), iBar (and The Anvil), Opera House (and O2 Academy Bournemouth), The Old Fire Station, The Green Rooms, Blue Line Studios and The Winchester. He’s been fortunate enough to have worked with bands that have gone from unknowns to headliners in some of the UKs biggest venues. Highlights over the last 20 years have included promoting a sold out show for Aussie comedian Jim Jefferies, being part of the journey for Black Water County and helping them go from the support in small venues to headlining O2 Academy Bournemouth, booking the main and second stages at Teddy Rocks Festival and just being a part of peoples experiences like a first show or their favourite show. There is a buzz in watching live music, but there is also a buzz in helping create memories that last a life time.

Chaplins & The Cellar Bar

Based in the heart of Boscombe, minutes from the seafront and close to the Victorian Royal Arcade & O2 Academy. Thought and attention has been put into creating a unique environment for people to unwind and have fun. It’s a great place to meet people from all walks of life. Voted Campaign for Real Ales (CAMRA) Pub of the year. Great British Pub Award winner, “Best Community Pub UK” winner, ‘Best Community Pub South West’ and ‘Best Entertainment Pub South West’. Best Bar None National Winner & Bournemouth in Bloom Gold Award winners.

The Acoustic Connection

The Acoustic Connection was created to give a platform to the wealth of amazing local talent from this area and to bring together and support the local community which is something very close to our hearts. Live music is a genuine passion for them and their focus has always been to highlight and support the incredible songwriters and musicians this area has to offer.
They have worked closely with the local community over the years with their monthly events at various venues in Dorset and Hampshire, and also organize charity events supporting local causes.

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival has been entertaining people in Dorset for 40 years! When thinking of the Festival, most people will think of the town being filled with colour, music and dance during the second week of June, but that is only part of the story. Wimborne Minster Folk Festival runs the Community Food Supply which has fed people in need in Dorset for nearly 3 years, It also runs the Community Cafe @ The Allendale which has won awards for employing staff with disabilities and won the High Sheriff of Dorset’s Annual Award in 2021.

RMV Sounds

Steve provides sound equipment and services to lots of local events. You’ll often see his dreadlocks bobbing away behind the desk or feverishly restarting the bands between sets. Steve is renowned for his positive, professional, personable and accurate sonic creations.

Alex J T was diagnosed in his early teens with being on the autistic spectrum and suffering from Aspergers Syndrome. He was an avid musician and software genius who used his skills to help others achieve their music goals.

Sadly, Alex passed away suddenly in 2014 aged just 29 from ‘SADS’ (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome). A loss that was sudden and heartbreaking for family and friends. However, 8 years on from Alex’s death, his achievements continue to be cataloged and memorialised.

Roxanne Phillips

I’m Roxanne Phillips I’m a musician/ singer sing writer from Bournemouth. I love writing pirate songs and sea Shantis, and most of my music talks about empowerment and that if you believe, you can. I first started singing when I was 9 years old. When I went in to care I became mute, and music saved me from that, it taught me to communicate. Now, I work with kids with autism and other additional needs, young people from low income families and kids in care. Autism is my superpower, especially when It comes to music, so I love to inspire others to find their music magic too

Tor Byrnes
Director of We Broke Free

For supporting the local music scene

WBF is an independent events and promotions company based on the south coast but working across the UK, from major festivals to independent venues. A multi skilled small team with a wealth of experience within the events and festival industry including:
Live show promotions, Event & Festival DJ’s, Artist liaison and stage management , Festival stage curation and production, Radio show and festivals host.

As well as running WBF, in a multitude of capacities Tor also is part of the Independent Venue Week team representing the South Central district.
The past 2 years she has also moved into the Outdoor Arts region working with BCP Council as part of the creative team behind the Arts By the Sea Festival for From the Fields.

Conrad Barr
Lifetime Achievement Award

Conrad is a mainstay of the Bournemouth music scene. He promotes and delivers new and eclectic music from his base, Chaplin’s and the Cellar Bar. This nomination is in recognition of the work he does for Chaplin’s on n stage and behind the sound desk. Conrad single-handedly runs the Solid Air and Rubber Soul nights, but also provides the full range of services that allow music nights to occur. Ranging from get-in set up, to sound and competing through the night, followed up by DJing into the small hours.

The Boldre Crew

For supporting as many live music events as they can.

A live gig is nothing without an audience and that’s where these guys come in. They spend so much of their time out and about supporting musicians and events as well as shouting about them to other people.
They have been nominated by local musicians who wish to express their thanks for all the support they give the local music scene.

Tom Newton

For creating one of the best charity festivals ever,

Teddy Rocks Festival started with a small gig in 2011 to raise money for Teddy20, a children’s cancer charity founded by Tom Newton and his family after he lost his 10 year old brother Ted to a very rare bone cancer. The gig was put on by Tom’s friends and family in the restaurant of The Greyhound pub in Blandford and raised £400. This was used to fund the very first Teddy Rocks event at The Corn Exchange in 2012, which raised £2,500.

By 2013, Teddy Rocks had grown and needed more space, so they moved back to The Greyhound pub, raising £6,500 and £15,000 in 2014. In 2015, Teddy Rocks almost doubled this, raising an amazing £24,000.

In 2016 the festival moved to a new site with a bigger capacity and the total raised was a staggering £42,800!

“It’s amazing what we managed to achieve in just a few years, from raising £400 at a small gig to organising an awesome festival and raising over £250,000 so far. And it’s all thanks to our generous and loyal supporters. Thanks to them, we’ve made a huge difference to hundreds of children’s lives: because of their support, we’re able to keep fighting children’s cancer.”