Band: Më-sages Genre: Funky fusion sound with all the right ingredients but perhaps lacking a good horn section. Judgement: A bit shy with funk, the harmonica is indeed a nice touch and works better when they play blues. The 15 year old female vocalist makes a good effort but needs more technical experience, especially when taking high notes. They need more “warmth” and self convincing in order to get the audience involved, which by the way was supporting considering their weak set. The keyboard sound is missing in some parts of the songs. Advice: They need work on their arrangements and their feel (basically more natural and confident). The lead singer is “felt” and can make the difference. Other members follow but need guidance indeed also considering the fact that the opening Emergenza slot carries a lot of pressure. Vote: 2,5 guitars. Band: KLARTEXT Genre: German Hip Hop Judgment: They have the advantage of playing on home turf but they are very good at getting the audience going, especially when they put a ska feel to their songs. They are very brave to put an urban feel into a very rural atmosphere and they get away with it. Advice: They look like the boys next door and it’s obvious when you see them on stage. The hip hop scene has proved to us that the visual aspect is a lot more daring however, these guys did not display it. Was it a choice? Set: The rhythm section and the guitar are always on top of the game and they never seem too leave any empty spaces when the singers overlap. Similar sounds: original German Hip Hop scene Vote: 3 guitars Band: Mellophone Genre: Melodic alternative rock Judgement: Very much together. All five members interact and give their very best individually. The lead vocalist has a strong presence and personality. The voice ranges from passionate to the soft ballad sounds. Advice; Too much attention given to the arrangements makes them lose focus on the real live substance. Why not use the backing vocalist to her full potential? Set: They started slowly and built it up as they went along. A very well performed gig but they still leave you longing for more (I.E. a ripping chorus). Similar sounds: Early Radiohead and jeff Buckley Vote: 3,5 guitars Band: Running Against Radar Genre: Rock Judgment: Typical four member band. They are not original but showed a great understanding of what a show is about. They got the wet Taubertal crowd going by drawing them towards the Emergenza stage. A live professionalism to be taken as an example. The different training of the musicians is obvious. Advice: The band is young but already effective, with a few changes it can improve. Set: The concert keeps improving and evoked emotions in the crowd. The singer left the stage and looked for contact with the crowd. The bass player is a surprising talented 17 year old. Similar sounds: Nickelback and pure Canadian rock. Vote: 3,5 guitars Band: Alta Pressione Genre: Italian rock. Judgment: A solid and courageous band. Singing in Italian is always a gamble. The crowd does not understand them but they are swept away by the nicely composed music. The rhythmic section is well felt and draws the crowd in. Advice: An effort to compose a couple of songs in English should be made. The foundations are there and it could improve the whole ensemble, anyway it would be more fitting for the Taubertal crowd. Set: catchy even though alternating from melodic to tighter rock can be a bit confusing. Probably a definite choice in one direction could have improved the whole ensemble. Similar sounds: Litfiba Vote: 3 guitars Band: Les Breuvachons Genre: French traditional folk rock Judgement: The largest number of musicians and so far the most energetic one. With traditional instruments (bagpipes, flutes and mandolin) they got the crowd going. A lot of research was done in order to find the true ethnic folk sounds and entertained the band and audien