About Us
Dept of Rock came to life after old school friends Nigel McRae and Leanne Thompson were chatting about putting on a Battle of the Bands competition for the public servants at Smith’s Alternative. As the owners of Canberra’s most beloved live music venue, Nigel and partner Beth Tully, knew of many local musos working in the public service - as did Leanne, herself a former public servant who had got into live music via a work band.
Leanne pondered the Dept of Rock concept and, in collaboration with Nigel and Beth, launched the inaugural Dept of Rock Battle of the Bands competition at Smiths in late 2023. The aim was simple yet impactful: to create a lively and welcoming band competition for public sector workers in the ACT and federal government sectors, showcasing and nurturing musical talent while dispelling stereotypes about 'boring public servants'.
What followed exceeded all expectations. Twenty-four incredible bands, including newly formed ones, entered the competition. The community rallied behind them, with enthusiastic Canberrans cheering on the bands and diverse volunteers eagerly participating in judging panels. Tickets flew off the shelves, with the final selling out in under 90 minutes, attracting even a federal cabinet minister to join in the festivities.
As the four finalists took the stage for the ultimate showdown, Smith’s was bursting at the seams with excitement. The atmosphere reached its peak when The Substrates from the National Film and Sound Archive were crowned winners of Dept of Rock 2023, almost lifting the roof off the Melbourne Building with their victory.
Looking ahead, Dept of Rock, in partnership with Smith’s Alternative, is committed to making the Battle of the Bands competition an annual fixture on Canberra's live music calendar. Additionally, they plan to host All Star gigs, providing bands with more opportunities to showcase their talents. Keeping in line with the spirit of a vibrant public service, Dept of Rock will continuously seek new ways to foster, support, and celebrate the creative prowess of our public sector workforce.
Dept of Rock – proudly championing public sector rock ‘n roll!