UP Wins Bands Alive Contest
A couple of the members were moved to tears but they picked themselves up again and jumped with joy alongside the others and the band’s supporters as Master of Ceremony, Kwesi Kyei Darkwa announced UP as the winners at the final event of the second edition of the Bands Alive contest at the National Theatre last Tuesday.
UP were pitched against KTK, HM and Vision for the final showdown. KTK appeared to have a large support base in the hall and the band worked hard enough to be rated by the judges- Prince Mydas, Rex Omar and Mac Tontoh -as the best on the night.
The tallying of public votes from the last four weeks of the competition, however, tilted things towards UP, followed by KTK, Vision and HM.
Organised by the GAMA Film Company and TV3, Bands Alive kicked off about 13 weeks ago with 12 competing bands.
The other eight that did not make it to the National Theatre were Swift, Wizzy, Harmony, Vocals, Gruve, Refire, AKAAK and Nobles. Bessa Simmons and Charles Amoah were the music directors for the project.
The final show required each of the four bands to do an original piece and then a cover version of any material of their choice. The original embraced zouk, highlife and some criss-cross sounds.
The cover versions treated songs by acts such as Jimmy Cliff, Billy Ocean, Shalamar, Kontihene, Kool and the Gang and Otis Redding.
KTK set the contest off with an energetic piece they called Fa Woho Ma Nyame. There was an exuberant percussion break and they generally used the stage well.
Their powerful beginning to the contest must have had a very positive impact on the judges and they were full of praises for them.
The band played versions of familiar songs later and the audience danced along and cheered, with the judges again claiming how impressed they were. No wonder, the fans and the band members seemed disappointed when they did not carry the day in the long run.
UP rendered an own highlife composition in English and Twi called Sakawa Love. The judges’ comments about it were quite fair with Rex Omar throwing it in that UP was a band he would pay to watch at any time.
The audience had to pay GH¢10 each to see the show. Last year’s final was a free event at TV3’s Studio B and the place was overrun by the audience. That prompted the organisers to move to a bigger venue this year.
The fact that people were ready to pay to see the final though it was telecast live on TV3 indicates the high level of interest the programme has generated among music lovers.
Kofi Nyantakyi, Director of Operations for the GAMA Film Company, said they were impressed by the general interest shown by the public in the competition and it is very likely that a third edition will be organised next year.
“With the purchase of tickes and the number of people who came to see the show, it will be a travesty if we don’t continue,” he stated. “
The core reason why we are trying to do this is to try to unearth talents to revive the live band music scene. All the indications are that in several places these days, most spots are encouraging live music and bands are going in there to play.
So I strongly believe that we have hit the right note and have to continue.” The programme’s producer, George Bosompim, also said that they were likely next time to go into the various regions to audition the bands.
“We will probably start auditioning by the end of the year and look forward to starting something again early next year if we have sponsors by then,” he indicated.
For their prize, UP will receive a new set of music equipment and a recording contract. KTK will get a new set of music instruments and GH¢1000. Vision gets richer by GH¢3000 and HM also grabs GH¢2000.
Apart from the contesting bands, there were also performances by Ackahblay and his Abiza Band, Prince Mydas, Shasha Marley, Donna May, Gloria Dwamena and Bessa Simmons.
Bands Alive was directed by Paa Kwesi Ackom. Sponsors of the contest included MTN, Anchor Gold and Smart Energy Drink.
Source: Daily Graphic
