City News

Organisers believe that GBOB will supersede the Eurovision Song Contest for excitement and originality by focusing on artistes playing real music and performing original material – and could even uncover the next U2 or Beatles.

Supporters of the event to-date include Marketing Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Epiphone, Planet Rock, Royal Mail and Still Gigging.

The winners and runners-up from 5 regional finals will compete for a place in the world final in December where the victorious band will win $100,000 and a world tour. Last year’s final at London’s Astoria was won by American hip hop rock band Heavy Mojo (www.gbob.com and www.goodmedia.co.uk), who will also be performing at the Finals in Birmingham.

Local band Midas, who are climbing the charts with their new single, and Ladonna Kezia will both be performing during the event as part of a showcase of local up and coming talent.

Fay Goodman, Producer, Goodmedia, who initiated bringing the event to Birmingham as part of her role as Ambassador for the Creative Industry by the Birmingham Chamber, said: “The GBOB national event coming to Birmingham is a major coup for us and will help to show the local talent we have to offer. I am delighted by the growing support of local companies and music groups.  Stillgigging (www.stillgigging.com), for example, are bringing ten children from Acorns Hospice to the National Finals to meet the celebrities and have a great night!”

She added: “The imminent re-opening of the Town Hall after its renovation programme has added a new jewel to Birmingham’s crown and the Global Battle of the Bands will be a superb early opportunity to show off the venue to an international audience.”

Sir Bernard Zissman, former Birmingham Lord Mayor and a member of the planning team, said: “Birmingham and the Midlands have always enjoyed a reputation for enterprise be it in the area of business or innovation as well as in music of every kind. The unique setting of our historic and wonderfully refurbished Town Hall, whose audiences have been thrilled by the music of Elgar to Count Basie and Led Zeppelin, will once again stand and cheer the Global Battle of the Bands.  This is a real coup for our city and we should welcome the bands and their supporters with open arms and the warmest of welcomes.”

“Robert Jinks, Head of Corporate Fundraising, Acorns Hospice, said:

“The Global Battle of the Bands is a great event and we’re delighted that it will help support Acorns by increasing our awareness and helping us to raise much-needed funds from collections. We currently care for around 600 life-limited children and their families who live in the West Midlands but we estimate that around 1600 life-limited children live in our region who could really benefit from our specialist care and support. We need to fundraise for over 80% of our income as we receive very little money from the Government. Events such as Global Battle of the Bands help Acorns to spread its message to a wider audience.”