HONG KONG, 24 July, 2009--Dragonair (KA) is supporting the global live music competition by providing flights for the winning Shanghai and winning Beijing bands to attend the China final (to be held in Hong Kong). Mr Kenny Tang, Chief Executive Officer of Dragonair said: "We are delighted to be involved with the live music scene in China which has lots to offer to the entire world."  

Global Battle of the Bands China this year will include five cities: Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Shenzhen Each city will select one winning band based on judges and audience votes. Judges comprising of established musicians, respected music journalists, music editors and people involved in the music industry. Judges confirmed so far include: Jun Kung (drummer, producer), Soler (band), Silvester See Wai Yin (veteran musician, Acehero Films), Vincent Lee (Warner Music Hong Kong) and Christine Samson (Singer & Vocal Coach to top artists in HK such as Joey Yung, G.E.M., Fong Lik Sun). Top live music venues from each city will be used : Yugongyishan (Beijing), Yuyingtang (Shanghai), The Cavern (Hong Kong), Jin Bar (Shenzhen) and XL Creations (Macau).

Each of the five cities winners will battle out in Hong Kong in November 2009 to see who will represent China in the World Final of Global Battle of the Bands in London, England and the chance to win the grand prize of US$100,000 in band development (1 week in a top London recording studio with a producer, a 10 date United Kingdom tour and 10,000 USD in cash.) The competition in China will take off in August and over 200 bands are expected to participate and only one can represent China in London, England in December 2009.

Chris B, National Director of GBOB China, "Everyone is now looking at China for the next big band that is un-manufactured and playing real music, this competition will expose those potential bands to the world."

GBOB International was formed in 2004 and the China division created in 2008. Over 36 countries are taking part in 2009. The World Final will be held in La Scala, London, England on 13 December 2009.

In 2008, there were 28 countries taking part. The 2008 World Final GBOB judges; comprised Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols bassist/songwriter), Jim Lowe (producer: Stereophonics, Charlatans etc) and Ben Adams (ex-member of A1 and now producer) and they all agreed that China would be the country to watch at 2009 finals. "Clearly Killer Soap have put the world on notice that Chinese bands are ready to take the world stage in rock music" said Matt Walker, organiser of the Global Battle of the bands competition. "The bands enthusiasm, sound and great vocals really got the judges attention" he said.

Killer Soap (Hong Kong 2008 GBOB Winners) performing at The Cavern, Lan Kwai Fong


Killer Soap (from Hong Kong) represented China at the GBOB 2008 World Final. Killer Soap's guitarist Kevin said "Killer Soap's participation in the GBOB World Final in 2008 opened up a whole new chapter for us, both musically and culturally. It was really really exciting to share music with bands from other parts of the world . Despite the difference in our languages, skin colors, cultural backgrounds and musical styles, we came together, in London, to share and appreciate music. Music became the universal language for us to communicate with each other."

Killer Soap 2008 China Winners with their tickets to World Final in London, England


In 2008 GBOB China did not include Beijing due to the restrictions of the Olympic Games, and all the Beijing bands are excited to be included this year. There are over 2000 bands in Beijing alone.



Contacts:
Chris B (China National Director GBOB)
(852) 9486 4648
china@gbob.com