Over the weekend the fine folk from Larmer Tree festival held the Breakthrough Music Awards at 60 Million Postcards down in Bournemouth, where six bands from up and down the country took the stage for the chance to play at the festival.

Judging the six bands, an eclectic mix as you might expect that ranged from poppy-funk to garage rock to jazz, we had Laura Lewis-Paul (Saffron Records), Kristian Davis-Downs (Naim Records), James Shepherd (founder of Larmer Tree), and Simon Emmerson (Afro Celt Sound System).

All six acts got a great reception from the audience, but two really stole the show – Bare Jams and Coosbay.

Bare Jams started off as a busking duo, but has since grown into a seven-headed band, that has seen their EP Cold Treats get a release on the Dutch label Could Be Your Music and will see the band playing a number of festivals this summer – including now Larmer Tree!

Coosbay, a local Bournemouth band, got a loud reaction from the crowd, where they have found much support for their searching, psychedelic-pop inspired by the quiet beaches and lush landscapes of their hometown.

Big congrats to all bands that played on Saturday – Bella Fitzella, Jazz Morley, Elixir, and The Neighbourhood Strange were all great. And we look forward to seeing Bare Jams and Coosbay take the stage at Larmer Tree on 13th-17th July.

Photographs by Stuart Walker