Nashville, TN (Top40 Charts/ Noughts & Exes Official Website) The anticipation had been building up since early this May, it reached its apotheosis on 9th July 2011 as 5 bands went mano-a-mano for the final.
Eventual champions, Noughts & Exes, took the stage first with their carefully-crafted set of unique folk-pop, enrapturing everyone present. eli followed with their broody indie rock, mixing newer originals with old favourites. Then everyone in the audience had their respective bells rung (and how) by Shotgun Politics, whose rock-n-rollicking set saw some impassioned dancing up front. The3Think, a band with some of the most dedicated fans (with customized LED fancards) around, charmed the audience with some light-rock stylings. Retox'D ended the competition with really danceable hip-hop beats that got the whole crowd going.
All this was witnessed by a record crowd of above 300 people in Backstage, and was judiciously overseen by a panel of judges.
Post the competitors' performances, the thrill and tension of waiting for the results was well-eased by special guests F.B.I. who didn't let the music stop.
The moment of reckoning elicited some very emotional reactions and a lot of cheering from the crowd, as Noughts & Exes was declared the band to represent China (and Hong Kong) at the Envol et Macadam festival in Canada.
Says Chris B, organizer of Planetrox China, "It wasn't about being the best band. We all are proud of this night, because every band played great music. Hong Kong bands have certainly proven they have something to say and they can say it with style."
Gideon So, keyboardist from Noughts & Exes reacts: "We're stoked and shocked to win the Planetrox China final over the weekend. A real honour to represent Hong Kong and China in the Great White North. Thanks everyone for the massive support and thanks Planetrox and The Underground for the opportunity. We'll do our best to represent HK indie well"
Noughts & Exes already have a busy summer planned; they will be playing at Midi Festival in Shandong Province in August, as well as touring Malaysia & Singapore with a slot at Baybeats Festival. This win and the opportunity to perform will be the icing on their September-cake.
https://www.noughtsandexes.com
Envol et Macadam
An urban festival featuring outdoor concerts and live indoor shows in downtown Quebec City venues since 1996. Each year over 25,000 people attend and it's also an ECO-FRIENDLY event with on-site-recycling, recyclable cups, reusable bags etc.
This year's headliners include Rise Against and Flogging Molly.
https://www.envoletmacadam.com/en/festival/
Planetrox
A worldwide music competition, whose mission is to discover the best new bands and expose them to a wider international audience. In 2011, Envol et Macadam is expanding its ties to the rest of the world and hitting it with a big bang: alternative bands from 15 different countries will win the chance to play at the Envol et Macadam Festival in Quebec City, Canada in September 2011.
