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Wicked Things crowned winner of Rockin’ the Puburbs 2023

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Wicked Things takes the win at the Australian Hotels Association NSW’s – Rockin’ the Puburbs 2023. Image by Craig Wilson, Swamphouse Photography

A stand-out in what could only be described as a showcase of some of the best pub-rock talent in NSW, Wicked Things - a band of four brothers, Kaleb Hills (vocals), Cooper Hills (drums), and twins Blade Hills (guitar) and Gericho Hills (bass) - was last night named winner of the Australian Hotels Association NSW’s - Rockin’ the Puburbs 2023.

In front of a packed house at the iconic Selina’s Entertainment Centre - Coogee Bay Hotel, the shredding guitar, soaring vocals, and electrifying energy of Sydney’s Inner West rockers wowed both the crowd and the judges.

“If I could give 25 out of ten, I would have,” one judge said of the performance. “That was incredible.”

The diverse judging panel included rock legend and Rose Tattoo front man Angry Anderson, The Hon. John Graham MLC, Michael Rodrigues – 24-Hour Economy Commissioner (NSW), Alex Green – APRA AMCOS, Emily Collins – Music NSW, and Emma Nichols – Southern Cross Austereo.

For the win, the band takes home a $15,000 prize package including a five-stop east coast pub tour.

“On behalf of the band we’re all stoked with the win,” bass player Gericho Hills said.

“We’d played with one of the other acts, LamBros. before years ago, and knew how good they were, so we were thrilled to play with a band that takes their music so seriously.

“Tonight was the first time we had a chance to see the other bands and they were all phenomenal. When we were waiting for the result and judge Angry Anderson called us up, we were like ‘wow it’s us’ and we were stoked.”

Funk, soul, and rock act LamBros. came second taking home $4,000, while each of the other acts including indie outfit Dande and The Lion, country singer Jamie Lindsay, and rock trio Roar Sky Harvey each won $2,000.

“This was the first time we’ve had a live grand final event for Rockin’ the Puburbs and the level of talent was incredible,” AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said.

“Post-pandemic it was important for us to strengthen the connection between pubs and live music and this event was the perfect way to do that.”

Wicked Things will take to the road in April, playing pub gigs at Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Toronto in support of the Screaming Jets, Erina, and Sydney.

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Are you ready to rock an all-expenses paid east coast pub tour?

After a four-year hiatus the state’s ultimate band comp Rockin’ the Puburbs will return in 2022 giving the winner a chance to showcase their talent on an east coast pub tour.

Re-designed with a new battle-of-the-bands live music format, AHA NSW’s illustrious band comp, Rockin the Puburbs, is back this year and open to any NSW-based pub act which performs at least one song of original material.

Five finalists will battle it out at a live Grand Final event to be held in Sydney on 23 February to decide the winner.

In previous years more than 300 hopeful acts from across NSW have entered the competition, with Sydney bands Rackett and Spruced Moose taking the honours.