Phuket Lifestyle: Local bands – global battle

UPDATE: The Phuket Gazette has recently learned from the organizer that the GBOB Thailand Phuket show has been cancelled as one of the main investors pulled out at the last minute, and therefore the show could not go on as planned.

PHUKET: The Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) – one of the world’s largest independent music competitions – is coming to Phuket to give local bands the chance to perform original songs at the first regional final, which will be held at the H20 Pub in Phuket Town, March 15.

Now in its 9th year, with entries from over 30 countries, GBOB has come to the Kingdom for the very first time. Competition is open to all ages and across all musical styles; the only requirements are that each band have at least one Thai national and perform original material – no cover songs allowed.

GBOB Thailand offers lucky musicians the opportunity of a lifetime – reaching a national audience, with concerts in Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok and Chiang Mai. GBOB regional winners and runners-up will go on to the national grand final at Central World Bangkok.

Bangkok will host this year’s world final in December where bands will compete for a first prize worth US$100,000. The event was held in Australia last year and London in 2011, so it’s truly an international event.

GBOB Thailand winners also win cash and prizes worth more than 250,000 baht.

Thailand’s panel of judges includes Grammy-nominated producer Chris Craker; musician, producer and vocal trainer Mam (Sao Sao Sao Band) and Phuket’s-own homegrown hero ‘Dome‘ Pakorn Lum – all of whom will pick Thailand’s representative for the worldwide final.

“So far, fourteen bands have entered from Phuket, mostly of the metal genre and mostly male groups,” says Siripoom Boonmamuang Thailand’s GBOB event coordinator.

“Those who are selected will pay an entrance fee of 500 baht for a spot to compete in the regional final concert,” she added.

Seldom has there been a bigger chance for talented local musicians to display their abilities nationally.

TV coverage will be aired on Thai Global Network (TGN); True Visions 179; PSI 105; DTV 62; GMMZ 263 and PSI True TV 19; beginning Saturday, February 23. Additional media reporting nationwide will be provided by Thai Rath newspaper.

In Phuket, you can keep yourself updated via the Phuket Gazette, Image Asia publications, PGTV and Blue Wave 90.5fm – along with select Thai-language publications.

GBOB Thailand kicks off with a press conference at Central World in Bangkok on March 12.

The first regional final will be held in Phuket on March 15 at the H2O Pub in Phuket Town. Admission is free and doors open at 6pm.

Update: click here for map of the area.

— Chris Hudon