Now in its third year, Prog the Islands is an event that stands alone in that it focuses solely on progressive rock. The 2012 edition, A Prog Wintry Night, promises to keep the Prog flame burning with three top local rock acts taking the stage at V-Gen this Friday.

Promising some of the best in Maltese Prog rock, the event will kick off with newcomers Saneless Feel, possibly one of the craziest and most unlikely combinations of young musicians on the local scene right now.

All five members have been into Prog Rock long before they met and only got together last January to form a support band for another local artist, but discovered they had a lot in common and formed Saneless Feel.

Also performing on the night is Different Strings, the brainchild of Chris Mallia, whose debut single and album both earned plaudits from the local and foreign music press. Subsequent releases Victims of Love and 2011’s The Sounds of Silence Part I album were also well received, paving the way for the band’s first live appearance around a year ago.

Last but not least, local rock scene mainstays Colourblind will be headlining the event. Formed in 1998 by siblings Alistair and Shaun Galea, the band has grown into one of the top rock bands on the island, their progressive rock timbre an essential component in their evolving sound. Having undergone some line-up changes in recent months, the band has just released a new EP and is working on a new album.

Entrance to Prog The Islands 3 is €5. Doors open at 9pm and band merchandise will also be available. Noel Mifsud (Rock Moods and Heatsrokes) and MDM DJ Matthew Camilleri will be spinning tunes in between bands.