Global Battle of the Bands: It's a big ol' deal

Still ever-expanding in both contestants and renown, the Global Battle of the Bands invites you to celebrate its fifth year running. This time around, you get to put your vote in for which of Shanghai's band elite gets to participate in the nationals! Audience accounts for a quarter of the vote, but slipping a few drinks to the judges (including our very own beloved Shanghaiist editor) could cause ballots (and bodies) to sway.

The gig is a substantial deal: the Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) Challenge is the world's largest live competition of popular music, attempting to search and deliver the best un-manufactured talent in the world to a wider audience. This year's contest will involve 12,000 musicians from over 30 countries, more than 200 concerts, and a live audience in excess of 2 million. And if you sweep the World Final? $100,000USD and definite worldwide promotion.

Representing Shanghai are: 五便士 (Five Pence), 膨胀螺丝 (PZ 64), Alec Haavik Friction Seven, K.E., Lucius Clark, Monroe Stahr, October Capricorn (十月摩羯), Picasso Smiling, and Stegosaurus. (UPDATE: Some of the bands have pulled out. Check out who here.)

Each band will be breaking it down in 2-songs, 8-minutes sets at Yuyintang. The winners will then proceed onto Hong Kong to represent Shanghai for the China National Final on November 7 with a lovely Epiphone guitar in tow. Let's show the world how Shanghai does what it does!

Entry: 50 RMB
What: Global Battle of the Bands @ Yuyintang
Where: Yuyintang, 1731 West Yan'an Rd, by Kai Xuan Rd (育音堂 , 延安西路1731号)
When: Sunday, September 27 8:30PM