The countdown is on to the big International Final – it’s taking place this August 13-14-15! 3 days of music, from early morning ‘till late into the night; 20 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. Young American, English, Canadian, German, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Swiss, Austrian, French, Spanish, 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. More than 5,000 bands participated in the Emergenza Festival this year - the International Final is a unique occasion for the 20 Regional Final winners to meet and create a common world and a common way of thinking through music. 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 Cure, Cardigans, Guano Apes) 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 Darkness. 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 50,000 Euros worth of musical gear. An international jury will be present to watch all of the Emergenza finalista: 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 Nervous Nellie and Munshy have, this year’s winner will go on to showcase at the Vans Warped Tour in the USA alongside top American bands! The Vans Warped Tour is a kick-ass, North-America-wide tour where bands like Blink 182, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Green Day, Sum 41 and many, many other have performed. It’s any band’s dream come true! What more is there to say? Let the show begin… We’ll keep you up to date with all the news and reviews live from the Taubertal – come back soon so you don’t miss a thing! 1. DENMARK (Aarhus) Mellophone If you like the warm sound of the 60s and 70s… Trained on a church classic musical tradition, Mellophone managed to create a total revolutionary rock modern band. 2. SWITZERLAND (Zurich) Elfish What happens when the magic of a group of friends puggling their instruments in come out from a cold basement on the snowy Swiss Alps? An unique combination which absorbed different European musical tastes and fused them in an original mixture of sound and tecnique! 3. ITALY (Rome) Lost Property Office Melodic brit rock with roots in grunge, charming melodies and catchy guitar riffs. If you long for Jeff Buckley, if you like Coldplay… ITALY (Milan) Addicted The essential taste of pure classic rock band …if the European musical scene of the late nineties inspired your days, nights, dreams and nightmares, Addicted will be able to make you jump back to that time with an ehchanting live performance.... 5. SWEDEN (Gothenburg) Granvista Straight rock for these four young Swedish guys. Early 90’s in Seattle or late 90’s in the U.K.? Too young to be influenced: let’s say pure Swedish sound in 2004! 6. CANADA (Toronto) Running Agai