It's the first semi-final of Southport Battle of the Bands on Friday – and one talented musician will be working twice as hard on the night, writes Martin Hovden.

Lead guitarist Ged Teevan is a member of two of the four bands competing on Friday for a place in the grand final later this month.

Still in his early-twenties, Ged is a much respected and admired member of our local music scene because of his amazing and breathtaking guitar playing. It really is something special to watch when he plays a guitar solo in the middle of a song.

I first saw him when he was about 11 or 12 and I was a judge in a Meols Cop High School talent show. He and fellow talented musician Harry Dickinson performed a superb guitar duo which I still remember to this day.

Since then he's been a member of several local bands including Side Show and Stone Horizon. He's one of those quiet, unassuming young musicians who don't realise how talented they are.

On Friday, he'll be lining up with pop punk outfit Slick Cupid, who won a semi-final place last Friday, and new ska band Sour Note – teaming up again with his old Side Show band mates Jason G Taylor, Patrick Hibell and Adam Linaker.

The other two bands vying for a grand final place are Twilight Avenue and Coneheads.

The show is hosted by Dave Aston, who is one of the organisers of the contest along with Hayden Birch and Martin White.

So that's the first semi-final this Friday (August 5) at the Banff in West Street. Doors open at 7.30pm with admission at just £3.

I'll post a full report with pictures in the early hours of Saturday morning. And on Sunday/Monday I'll release a video of the night with live performances and band interviews.