University of Cambridge student band Quasar was crowned the winner of this year’s band competition, Take it to the Bridge, in a thrilling night at the Cambridge Junction on Friday 1 March.
In an evening of exceptional performances the originality of Quasar’s arrangements and the band’s authenticity, charismatic stage presence and engagement with the audience won over the judging panel, which included Matt Fincham (Music Editor, BBC Radio 1), Frazer Robinson (Co-Founder and Head of Programming, Cambridge Club Festival) and Ros Russell (Director, Cambridge Jazz Festival).
500 audience members packed the venue and participated in a live poll which played a crucial role in deciding the winner, with Quasar taking the lion’s share of the votes cast. As the winner of this year’s event, the band has claimed a slot on the mainstage at the Cambridge Club Festival as part of a lineup of world-renowned artists including Chaka Khan, Sister Sledge, Melanie C, and Jessie Ware. Students who wish to support the band by attending the Festival to hear them perform will have the opportunity to purchase generously discounted tickets.
Simon Fairclough, Director of the Centre for Music Performance, said: “Huge congratulations to Quasar, who blew away the judges with their stellar performance. Congratulations too to the other finalists, East Street on a Tit, Soft Crunchy Landing and Temor. Reaching the final of the competition was a great achievement, and the quality of all four performances was extraordinary. And a big thank you to our talented and hard-working student tech team on the night – we couldn’t have done it without you”.
The Take it to the Bridge competition, now in its second year, is the brainchild of the University’s Centre for Music Performance, a department of the University which enables students, staff and local residents to make music in all its forms a part of life at Cambridge. The competition celebrates excellence in popular music within the University.
The Cambridge Club is the ultimate feel-good festival, returning this summer to the beautiful Childerley Orchard a few minutes just outside Cambridge from 7-9 June. As well as Quasar the Festival will feature an array of iconic live artists and top DJs, from the legendary Chaka Khan, Jessie Ware, Sister Sledge and Earth, Wind & Fire Experience to pop phenomenons Natasha Bedingfield, Melanie C and Gabrielle to pioneering party-starters Fat Tony, Norman Jay, Mousse T. and Little Gay Brother.
Quasar plays a unique blend of Hip-Hop and Jazz and includes students Alex Jones (Queens’ College), Finlay Gerrand, (Gonville & Caius College), James Wang (King’s College), Reece D’Souza (Lucy Cavendish College), Safiya Tiotto-Smith (Clare College), Sarah O’Callaghan (Gonville & Caius College) and Vincent Mastin (Homerton College).
