The Zattzoo Project

We are promoting local youth by working with the Zattzoo Project and their annual Battle of the Bands competition. This annual event gives youth under 25 from all over Vancouver Island a chance to perform, compete, and earn prizes and a spot on the Shaker Line-up!

Presented by the Zattzoo Project, the Port Alberni Youth Battle of the Bands is a contest that brings together all genres of bands and solo musicians from around the Island, under the age of 25, to showcase their talents in front of three judges.

Top prize for first place is $1,000 and a chance to perform at a Five Acre Productions event this summer. Second prize is $500, fan favorite prize is also $500 and there are five separate prizes of $100 each for best guitar, best bass, best drummer, best singer and an other category.

The event was established, by Kim Blake and her son Dallas Ward of the Zattzoo Project, to provide local musicians a place to play in or near their hometown for their families and friends.

Blake said her music-driven son Zakk Coss, who was in a fatal car accident in 2014 at the age of 22, would say how there aren’t many places in Port Alberni for young musicians to play.

“All these kids have this talent but they can’t play here,” Blake said. “They have to leave, so if we can have something here that feeds them, then they’ll stay home and they’ll play.”

Blake said it has been the success of previous years’ winners that kept her and Ward going with the contest.

Zattzoo Project

Sean Lyons wins 2018 Battle of the Bands in Port Alberni – BC Local News

Musician earned a spot on the lineup at the 5 Acre Shaker at McLean Mill

Sean Lyons has earned a spot on the lineup at the 5 Acre Shaker at McLean Mill in August after winning the annual Zattzoo Project Battle of the Bands on Saturday, May 26.

Lyons was one of eight bands or solo acts to perform in the annual youth music competition, named in memory of musician Zakkaree Coss, at the Rainbow Room.

“Winning the Zattzoo Project-Association (Battle of the Bands) is a huge milestone and an absolute honour,” Lyons posted on Facebook.

As the grand prize winner, he also won $1,000 cash in addition to the 5 Acre Shaker spot.

Judging the event this year were Jason Samson, Sydney Reynolds and Kyle Hamelin.

Other bands competing included Aydin Stanton, Shepard, Taylr, We Live In A Society, Sturdy Lemon, Strategic Abuse and Chase Spencer.

Battle of the Bands poster.