After 19 weeks, the BATtle of the Bands finally wrapped it up on December 23 in the BAT Centre’s BAT Hall. The finalists were Lalela, Tan, Jimmy 12" and V. In front of an appreciative audience of 350 live music lovers, all the groups gave of their best but it was Tan that came out on top. The band won a quality EP recording from Tropical Sweat Studios run by Angus Kerr, produced by Dave Birch. It was felt by the judges that of the four groups Tan were the most likely to make a commercial success of this prize with their brand of Rhythm and Soul. Tan also won a slot on the Festival of Living Treasures 2000 (runner-up Lalela).

Lalela won a demo recording from the Playhouse Studio produced by Neil Snyman as well as a slot on Splashy Fen 2000 (runner-up Jimmy 12"). Jimmy 12” won a slot on Oppikoppi 2000 (runner-up V) as well as a TDK session hosted by Barney Simon of 5Fm, including a mini-tour booked around this performance in Gauteng. The band V won sponsored studio time from Tropical Sweat. Coastal Music sponsored a R5 000 voucher for the purchase of equipment which was open to all 17 groups that made it through to the Quarter Final stage. The winner was Vusi Mkhize & Sakhula.

The BATtle of the Bands could not have made it past the idea stage without the sponsorship of The Independent on Saturday and hopefully the event’s success will ensure its future existence. The BAT Centre sponsored the PA equipment utilised in the restaurant and Gearhouse Durban supportedl the heats and providing lighting and sound for the final. Thanks are due to engineers Nux Schwartz (Sonic Studios), Rafe Hayman, Dave McMahon and Armstrong Duma (Gearhouse) and Alf Shazi (BAT Centre).