The audience in Dublin's Vicar Street erupted with excitement as Dave McNamara, the night's first lead guitarist, jumped into action. The fans were diving and moshing over each other's heads by the time Curlisduane from Balla Secondary School in Balla, Co Mayo, completed their set.
Ten bands from post-primary schools around the country battled it out to win the 2004 Wella Shockwaves Unsigned New Music Competition. The finalists came through regional heats from a total of just under 600 competing groups.
Backstage, the members of Acidtone from Donwpatrick, Co Down, were ready to rock. Philip Hanna (15), Conall McKee (15), his cousin Conor McKee (15) chatted while their lead singer, Conor's younger brother, Adam McKee (13), the youngest performer of the night, his hair gelled into funky spikes, gave some quick radio interviews with great ease and charm. They're in a band "because there's nothing else to do and just because we love music", said Hanna.
Winifred King from Buncrana, Co Donegal, cheered for her son, Ben King (19), lead singer with Adrenaline. A bus with 100 friends from Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, had just arrived to top up the support, she said.
Looking around at the many excited fans and musicians trooping in, she was full of enthusiasm. "You're only young once," she said.
Jack The Yank Doherty and his wife, Joyce, were the proud grandparents of Robbie O'Dowd (16), another member of the Donegal group. They were there with his mother, Sue Doherty. "Robbie is the youngest in the band. Win, loose or draw this is just a great experience," said The Yank Doherty, who returned from the US to live in Donegal eight years ago.
Finally the six-member judging panel announced that Acidtone from St Patrick's Grammar School, had won the coveted prize, which includes a 2FM Session, a session in a professional recording studio, production of 1,000 CDs and a €1,000 music equipment voucher. Gunstar Zero's from CBS Secondary School, Thurles, Co Tipperary, came second and Lost and Sound, from Templeogue College, Dublin, came third.
The competition, now in its second year, was extended this year to include schools from Northern Ireland.