THE best of York's young musical talent went on show last night in the huge Best of the Bands gig at the Barbican Centre.

Hundreds of fans crowded on to the dance floor, with hundreds more parents sitting upstairs, as 12 bands from schools in the city showed off their skills on stage.

The schools represented this year included All Saints' RC, Bootham, Canon Lee, Huntington, Millthorpe, The Mount and Oaklands as well as York College and Performing Arts Centre 2.

Music ranged from covers of everything from Abba to Feeder and also included many original tracks.

The judges had a difficult task choosing the winners in various categories, but the eventual best live band prize went to Sigmunde from York College, who also picked up best team effort award.

Sigmunde win a day in a recording studio courtesy of Cube Media and other prizes donated by several local businesses.

The best individual performance went to singer Nicola Fowler, from the All Saints' band, Tarquin, who won two awards last year.

All the bands also got the chance to make a demo recording before the event.

The evening was organised by City of York Council's Arts Service. The MC was Dave Mitchell and the DJ was Tom Smith.

Results

Live band: Sigmunde, York College.

Presentation: TBA, Huntington School.

Original song: Konspiracy, All Saints' RC School.

Cover version: Conflux, Performing Arts Centre 2.

Team effort: Sigmunde, York College.

Individual performer: Nicola Fowler, All Saints' RC School.

Recording: The Sam Jackson Project, Bootham School.

Updated: 11:34 Friday, June 21, 2002