The countdown is on to the big International Final – it’s taking place this August 8-9-10! 3 days of music, from early morning ‘till late into the night; 26 of Emergenza’s best bands from all around the world, meeting for one of the most important experiences of their musical career: the TAUBERTAL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL. ONE WORLD - ONE NATION - ONE MUSIC is not just the slogan of the Festival: it’s an international “cultural brotherhood” for young musicians. More than 3,000 bands participated in the Emergenza Festival this year - the International Final is a unique occasion for the 26 Regional Final winners to meet and create a common world and a common way of thinking through music. Young English, Canadian, German, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Swiss, Austrian, French, Spanish, and many others will play live and intermingle for 3 days in one of the most beautiful places in Germany, during one of the major European rock events: the famous Taubertal Open Air Festival. This invaluable opportunity allows the next generation of musicians the benefit of expression, exposure and experience along with the pros. We are proud to return to Rothenburg, the historical and beautiful village where the Festival takes place; a picturesque valley where an entire music village is built yearly to welcome hundreds of musicians and thousands of spectators. A festival where world-famous headliners (such as Travis, The Cure, Ash, Therapy?, and Heather Nova, just to name few) have once graced the stage. Two big stages as a matter of fact; one for Emergenza and one for the Taubertal Festival’s headliners, right in front of each other. Shows will alternate between the headliners and Emergenza’s bands with an audience of thousands in between, ready for 3 days of non-stop music! This year’s headliners include The Cardigans, Evan Dando (of the Lemonheads), Emergenza’s own Sincere and many others. As you can imagine, this is not just another gig for the 26 Emergenza finalists: it’s an important and unique opportunity for them to perform in front of big names in the music industry (among them scouters, promoters, and managers) and to have the chance to win more than 30,000 Euros worth of musical gear. Plus, all Emergenza bands will have the chance to take part in special clinics, courtesy of ERNIE BALL / MUSIC MAN: - DAVE LA RUE, renowned bassist of the Steve Morse Band who has recorded or performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, Deep Purple, Bruce Hornsby, Mike Portnoy, the Hellecasters, Pat Travers, Tommy Lee and Vince Neil (Motley Crue), guitarists John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, Mike Stern, Andy Timmons (Danger Danger), Steve Vai, Albert Lee, Vinnie Moore, Rik Emmett (Triumph), and Ace Frehley (Kiss). - DJ ASHBA, guitarist and co-founder of Beautiful Creatures. He has been recognized as one of the best young guitarist and is currently working on his first solo album. An international jury will be present to watch all of the Emergenza finalists. Amongst others, coming all the way from the USA will be Miss Jane with Universal Orlando/Visual Planet Music, Aaron Dey with Visual Planet Music, Patrick Schuleit with St. Louis Music, and artists Dave La Rue and DJ Ashba. From Spain, Joan Sancho Luna and David Morell Torrijo from the infamous Spanish music magazine Mondo Sonoro; from Italy, a representative from Audioglobe, the country’s biggest music distributor and music critic, Roberto Iacopini. From Germany, Susanna Ott with “Oh My Sweet Entertainment”, and Jurgen Klier, the Creative Art Director for Music. These people are some of those who will be part of the jury. They will attend all performances by Emergenza bands to listen to and appreciate the work of these up-and-coming musicians, and to reward the most talented with the many prizes on offer. The jury will also select one band as the very best of Emergenza 2003; just as Willowtree and Munshy have, this year’s winner will go on to showcase at t