Battle of the Bands

Following last year's success, Hard Rock Café Malta will once again be organising the Battle of the Bands competition.

This year's edition will kick off on September 4 and be held over three months. The final will be held on November 25, which happens to be the third anniversary of the opening of Hard Rock Café, in Bay Street.

Applications for bands opened yesterday and will be available until August 14 from Hard Rock Café.

A total of 12 bands will be eligible to take part in this year's edition. After the first round, six bands will qualify for the next. A second round will determine the last four (the winning three bands plus best losing band). Two semi-finals will pave the way for the grand final on November 25. The winning band will walk away with Lm750 in cash. Moreover, the voting mechanism will include the use of public SMS voting, apart from the judges' vote and that of the public present on the nights.

Last year's winners, the metal band Colourblind flew to Rome to play three gigs at Hard Rock Café, all expenses paid.

The Hard Rock Café's Battle of the Bands is being organised in association with Red, which is broadcast on Net TV every Monday evening.

Red presenter Peter Busuttil explained that the bands taking part in the competition will be invited to feature on the programme. People will be allowed to vote on Red while footage of the various stages of the competition will be aired.

More information can be obtained by calling Hard Rock Café on 2372 2253 or 7940 6104.