Some of the best American and Canadian bands who took part in the 2004 edition of the Emergenza Festival have been picked and are being taken on tour around North America, from March 31st to May 21st! The North American branch of the B.E.S.T. differs from its European counterpart because it takes place in the spring instead of in autumn, but the aim is the same: creating more performance possibilities for the best acts in the contest. The North American B.E.S.T. showcase will be incorporated into the Emergenza semi-finals shows and the 9 selected bands will play at the end of the each concert night. Each band will have between two and four slots in different cities. This means they will be able to gain exposure in front of different audiences and of course other bands with whom they can network and work with in the future. All the bands who are taking part in Emergenza this season, will be able to see how Emergenza works for them - by rewarding the best talent with showcases in other cities and by covering the tour costs. Some of these bands won the finals in their cities, while others did not, but they are definitely the most interesting and exciting bands out there, and they are the perfect example of what bands that get involved in Emergenza can profit from. In addition to this, the shows will be widely promoted and A&R will be invited to discover the best up and coming bands. As always, these concerts will be FREE for Emergenza musicians: all they have to do is request their special VIP pass on the website (click here for the calendars). Come and see your fellow musicians - next year it could be you! The calendar: 31 mar, BAND CALLED PHARISEE, Milwaukee (The Rave) 1 apr, THE NODD, Chicago (The Note) 1 apr, BAND CALLED PHARISEE, Cincinnati (Blue Note Cafè) 2 apr, BAND CALLED PHARISEE, Detroit (Alvin''s) 8 apr, GHETTOBILLIES, Chicago (The Note) 9 apr, GHETTOBILLIES, Milwaukee (The Rave) 14 apr, FLUTTR EFFECT, Boston (Paradise Rock) 14 apr, PETE MOSS, Montreal (Kola Note) 14 apr, CHRYSALIS, Philadelphia (5 Spot) 15 apr, PETE MOSS, Boston (Paradise Rock) 16 apr, FLUTTR EFFECT, Montreal (Kola Note) 16 apr, PETE MOSS, Philadelphia (5 Spot) 16 apr, CHRYSALIS, Boston (Paradise Rock) 21 apr, J''S BASEMENT, Toronto (360) 22 apr, J''S BASEMENT, Buffalo (The Tralf) 22 apr, ILLUMINATI, Cleveland (Peabody''s) 23 apr, J''S BASEMENT, Cleveland (Peabody''s) 23 apr, ILLUMINATI, Toronto (360) 24 apr, J''S BASEMENT, Detroit (Magic Stick) 24 apr, ILLUMINATI, Buffalo (The Tralf) 28 apr, GHETTOBILLIES, St Louis (The Way Out Club) 29 apr, THE NODD, St Louis (The Way Out Club) 29 apr, GHETTOBILLIES, Indianapolis (Birdy''s) 30 apr, THE NODD, Memphis (Young Avenue Deli) 30 apr, GHETTOBILLIES, Detroit (Magic Stick) 1 may, THE NODD, Washington DC (State Theater) 5 may, CHRYSALIS, Chicago (Double Door) 7 may, CHRYSALIS, Washington DC (State Theater) 12 may, GLASSHOUSE, Montreal (Club Soda) 13 may, GLASSHOUSE, Toronto (The Reverb) 14 may GLASSHOUSE, Philadelphia (North Star Bar) 22 may THE NODD, Philadelphia (North Star Bar)