After three spectacular weeks here in Hong Kong, involving 25 bands in a series of brilliant nights at packed venues, we have begun the Semi-Finals of the Hong Kong leg of the World Battle of the Bands. We have been staggered by the quality of some of these bands and the song writing talent coming through - Audiences have been filling both venues showing that there is indeed a thriving music scene, bubbling away here in Hong Kong. All in all, it is proving to be a huge success!

The World Battle of the Bands is a global competition seeking out the hottest unsigned bands of four countries spanning the Pacific Rim. Competitions start in Hong Kong and follow on to the United States, Australia and New Zealand - with the winners of each respective region flying to Auckland this December for the World Final. It’s a chance for emerging Hong Kong bands to showcase themselves and their original material before a diverse audience and star-studded, influential and international judging panel. Check out: www.worldbattleofthebands.com.

This week the pace increases as Semi-Finals take place in the two venues of Wanchai and Central, gearing up for the Hong Kong Final at the Hard Rock Café in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 3rd. We invite the Hong Kong public to come and check out these shows – it’s proving to be a great night out with four and sometimes five bands taking over the stage for the evening.

After the final, the Hong Kong winners will have five months to practice. They will be invited to play on the main stage of the Rockit Festival in Victoria Park in October, in between two headlining acts. Then they are being flown to New Zealand to battle against the other countries in December for the World Final. There are precious prizes for the world winners: as well as recording a single with Intergalactic Records, they’ll be earning precious recording equipment not to mention the global glory... Hong Kong winners will also be receiving cash prizes from the Tom Lee Music Company.


EVENT HISTORY:
It all started with the New Zealand Battle of the Bands…

The New Zealand Battle of the Bands (as it was formerly known) is a respected, nation-wide music event that has grown significantly in popularity and size over its 11-year history. It has now become the largest music contest in New Zealand. The event provides a platform for emerging bands to present themselves to a larger audience, as well as to industry figures. It forms a middle ground between artist’s first performances and resulting careers in the music industry. It equally gives the music industry an amazing opportunity to spot the hottest emerging, unsigned acts.

For the winning band, the glory aside, it’s a chance to win musical equipment and gain exposure: they will be given recording time and the New Zealand release of their recordings. This single / EP, is released through NZ Independent record label, Intergalactic Records (Member of IMNZ). There is the added bonus of being able to travel to the country’s cultural capital, Auckland, for the national final where they have the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of an experienced and professional judging panel.

Many sponsors support the New Zealand Battle of the Bands by contributing to the prizes and promotion. These include: Marshall, APRA, NZ Rockshops, Software Images, Area 51 Studios as well as media partners - The Rock and Juice TV, some select regional radio stations, Rip It Up, NZ Musician and more. (Several of these sponsors have supported the event for a number of years.)

International Expansion of the Event

In 2004 the event was re-named the WORLD BATTLE OF THE BANDS.

In 2004 the decision was made to spread the magic of this event to encompass the world. This is Phase One – The Pacific Rim. Next year we plan to expand the competition into China and South East Asia as well as other parts of the world. In a time where the televised media and internet make us a global village, this is the time for bands from every culture to share the same stage and a united, global audience. The World Battle of the Bands involves various nations with winning bands from each country playing off against each other, competing to be the World Winner.

Initially inspired by several entry forms submitted from bands based outside of New Zealand, as well as reaching a point in NZ where the event has gone national; this international growth opens the door for the event to become a world-wide established brand reaching an even larger audience.

2004, ‘Phase 1 - Pacific Rim’ will begin the international growth, with NZ, Australia, Hong Kong and Los Angeles being the first regions invited to join in. These regions have been selected due to geographical location to New Zealand as well as existing business destinations of the organisers.  Although other regions are a possibility, it has been decided to limit 2004 to 4 regions only, with more countries / cities to be added in 2005.

Each of the four’s countries, throughout various venues, will host heats, semi-finals and regional finals to determine the competitors for each National Final. The Winning band from each country will fly to Auckland, New Zealand to compete in the first ever, WORLD FINAL.


JUNE / JULY / AUG   - HONG KONG

JULY  / AUG    - LOS ANGELES

JULY / AUG / SEPT    - NEW ZEALAND

OCT / NOV     - AUSTRALIA

DEC      - WORLD FINAL - NEW ZEALAND