Bahrain’s best bands are set to battle it out in a one-of-a-kind competition taking place in August and September, as the country rebounds from the Covid-19 pandemic in rock ‘n’ roll style.
The GDN Battle of the Bands 2022, in association with NHSC, the Dilmun Club and hosted by Outback Studios and Ferdi Lifestyle, will kick off on August 1 with the first heat.
It will be followed by four to five more heats, depending on how many bands sign up, leading up to the Grand Finale on September 9 at the Dilly, the popular expatriate members club in Saar.
“It’s a fair and square competition between all bands of all nationalities playing all genres of music,” said John Atkinson, one of the organisers and the owner of Outback Studios.
“Any group of three to eight musicians are welcome to register. We also made sure that the heats would not conflict with the weekend, so working bands do not miss out on any earnings.”
While the venues for the heats across Bahrain are yet to be confirmed, registrations are now open until July 20, for bands interested in showing off their skills and the chance of winning cash prizes.
Upon registration, every band will be required to pay a holding BD20 deposit, which will be refunded to them after their performance at their respective heat.
After the opening show, successive heats will take place on August 7, August 15, August 22 and August 29, with a possible sixth heat to be announced closer to the start of the competition. The contest will only open to adults, aged 18 and above.
Registr-ation can be done by getting in touch with the contest organisers. “We’re hoping to drive more traffic to venues that have suffered during the pandemic and I’m hoping that Bahrain’s Battle of the Bands 2022 will highlight a return to normalcy,” added lifestyle blogger Ferdi Leonar, who will be emceeing the battles.
“We are also looking forward to showcasing the talent of Bahraini and expatriate musicians and vocalists.”
Each band will get 15-20 minutes to perform their choice of cover or original music and will be judged based on their music, delivery, style and the audience response.
The order of the heat performances will be determined during a live draw at the end of July, featured on GDNonline and our social media platforms.
“I want to see a band, not just hear a band – I want to be entertained,” Mr Atkinson explained to the GDN.
“I like to see them all getting rocked up on the stage with movement and co-ordination, and I tend to focus on the details. Are they all dressed cohesively? Are they reading lyrics from an iPad and concentrating more on the device rather than entertaining the people who have come to see them perform? Details like that matter, in my opinion.”
Judges will include Trevor Owen from NHSC, an appointed judge from the GDN, as well as a designated judge from each venue.
“We’re really looking forward to highlighting some of the best bands in the pages of the GDN, GDNonline and on our vibrant social media platforms to our many thousands of readers and followers,” said Stanley Szecowka, GDN Media’s managing editor.
Every heat will feature three to six bands, of which the top one will move on to the finale. As a twist, there will be three wild cards, assigned to each of the judging seats.
This can lift a lucky act with star potential to the Grand Finale, but must be used during the heat where the band performs and can only be used once per judge throughout the competition.
Up for grabs for the winners are a variety of cash prizes, unbeatable promotion and a free day of recording at Mr Atkinson’s studio. There will be one band crowned the champions and one runner-up.
For more details and to register, call Mr Atkinson at 3448 8038 or email info@outbackstudios.com.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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