The first weekend of 2005 started what may be a staple in the Detroit Music Scene. The Emergenza International Music Festival has started in Detroit and has hit the ground running. As the public started to file into Alvin''s, in downtown Detroit, it was apparent that Emergenza was going to have a great start. The kick-off night in Detroit saw many types of Rock advance to the upcoming round. Classic Detroit-style rock by The Brian Schram Band, modern hard rock by Osmus, frantic, blistering hardcore by Red I Flight, and the alternative sounds of Focal Point all secured spots in the semi-finals. Friday night saw a massive turnout for the Festival''s second day. The large crowd was no doubt a major impact on the performances of Friday''s bands. Large vote figures determined which four bands would carry on. In the end it was the hard hitting rock of Well In Doubt, the very classic punk style of Hairy Drain Babies, the unique stageshow of Ghostyle (in picture), and the solid, melodic metal of Morphic coming out on top. Saturday saw another impressive turnout. People lined up to buy tickets at the door and musical diversity could have been the theme for the night. Otto Vector''s vamp rock-electronica, Wake Up Call''s alternative rock, Funkilinium''s larger than life funk, and Catalog Only''s crowd engaging college rock where the audience favorites of the night. By Sunday evening things were starting to slow down in Detroit. The first few bands had few people to play for. But as the night moved on the crowd size grew and the energy began to intensify. The brash, snarling metal of Guilty, the sultry blues pop of Liz Larin, the melodic rock of My Machine, and spaztic ska punk of Saint Thomas Boys Academy, were all winners at the weekend''s close. They don''t call it Detroit Rock City for nothing. In a city that''s known for it''s musical exports, almost as well as its automobiles, it''s a no-brainer that a festival of this magnitude is going to be a huge success. The last week of January will see four more concerts of the first round in Detroit. If you have the means, come check it out!