In what is expected to be the biggest musical showdown of the year, in less than two weeks six Bahamian bands will go head to head for a chance to compete for the coveted title of the "Best Bahamian Band".
But this isn't a karaoke competition. The bands will have to perform original music in front of a live audience. And after the last note is played, a champion will be crowned and will have the opportunity to travel to Thailand to do it all over again - only this time it will be on a much bigger stage.
The Global Battle of the Bands competition will take place at Botanical Gardens on November 30. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the competition begins at 5 p.m.
Every year local qualifying heats and finals take place in participating countries around the world, with the winners of these going forward to the world finals.
Competing bands include Johnnie Christie and the Floating Boats, The Truth, Avante Guarden, Kontact, New Entry and Plati Dred, according to Chairperson of the Global Battle of the Bands Bahamas competition Ricardo Berris.
"Our mission is to find one band in every country that has the potential of being successful internationally, and then we'll put them all together in a world's final and award the top band with a $100,000 band development package, a chance to tour the world and sign a contract with a record label," Berris told Guardian Pulse yesterday.
The Bahamas is only in its second year competing in the competition, which started in 2004. Despite being the new kids on the block, Berris said The Bahamas' band has already made its mark on the competition.
Stinkin' Wayz, last year's Bahamian winner, placed third against 30 countries during the September 15 competition in Romania.
Berris, who is organizing the local leg of the competition, said the people can expect a "fabulous show". He said the country has to live up to the reputation it created last year.
"We brought the standard of the competition to an extreme high to the likes that we've never seen before," Berris said.
"The rest of the world actually looked on and gave praises to The Bahamas and Zamar (audio visual and productions company) for executing at such a high level. Most other countries never really went that far. We take this very seriously and our bands do too, so it will help lift the competition globally."
But while contending that The Bahamas has a lot of talent, Berris said there have been some issues finding bands.
"We had some challenges because bands share members a lot and that's not something that we look for in our quest to find a band," he said.
"Another challenge is they don't write a lot of music. We are featuring original music that is played live. That's essentially our mission.
"So you may not see your band perform this year because they have to prep and it takes a while to prep and sometimes bands just don't have such a long life. They will form today and then they'll be out tomorrow."
Tickets for the event are $10 in advance and $20 at the door.
Berris estimates that it will be a sold-out event.
"Last year we had about 6,000 people," he said. "This year we expect the same thing."
Berris said the local organization is hoping to host the finals in The Bahamas in the near future.
As for how winners are chosen, Berris added that both local and international judges have been chosen to rate the bands. However, those attending will get the opportunity to have their say.
The viewers' choice will go toward the final score.
"It's important to come to enjoy but also to come and help us to decide," Berris said. "This is your competition really. It's about you helping us to determine which one of the bands will be the best. You know what quality music should be."
Tickets can be purchased at CTI Cellular and Electronics, Negril Cafe, The Counsellors, Maranatha Music or Audio Plus. Children under 12 will be admitted without charge.

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