Beijing’s Rustic crowned China Global Battle of the Bands Champion

On a hot Saturday night in Hong Kong’s popular live music venue The Cavern; Rustic impressed the panel of 12 judges with their pure entertainment style that won them the title of best band in China 2009. Judges included respected music industry figures such as Christine Samson (vocal coach to Joey Yung 容祖儿, G.E.M. 鄧紫棋, Fong Lik Sun 方力申), Davy Chan (Aroom studios, LMF), Silvester See (Ace Hero Films, veteran rocker) and Soler. Each band played 8 minutes consisting of two original songs.

Rustic delighted the audience after the results were announced by jumping on stage and lead vocalist Li Fan grabbed the microphone to declare, “I was born on a farm.  I moved to Beijing and chose rock n roll because I don’t want to be a farm boy all my life.”

Chris B, China National Director said “After months of heats & city finals, tonight’s China final was really very exciting for fans of live music and for China.  The bands were all top notch quality and their styles of music ranged from ethnic minority tunes to rock and roll.  The five cities that took part were Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Shanghai.”

Dragonair is the official carrier for Global Battle of the Bands in China and HKGFM.net is the official online radio sponsor.  “There was so much food and the stewardesses are so pretty” said Ricky, guitarist for Rustic, talking excitedly about their first time on an aeroplane, flying to Hong Kong for the China Final.

This is the second year that Global Battle of the Bands is taking place in China.   Beijing has a reputation for a thriving live music scene and with a Beijing winning band representing China at the World Final, the whole world will see what the best of China 2009 has on offer.   

The World Final; which will be held in London, England at La Scala on January 31st 2010, Rustic will compete against 23 other countries for the top prize of US$100,000 in band development (which includes cash US$10,000 along with touring and recording opportunities that match the genre of the winning band)