FOMAT III ResultsGlobal Music Hall of Fame, Luxon Ananto
July 4792
Global Music Hall of Fame hosted FOMAT III in July of 4792Below is a recap of the results show for FOMAT III, hosted by the Global Music Hall of Fame in Luxon Ananto.
Kalistan is no stranger to large scale music festivals. One would say we invented them. But we have never hosted a truly global music festival, until now. We welcome you all to FOMAT III, the Festival of Musical Arts in Terra. Having won the contest five years ago, we now have the honor of hosting and judging the event. But first, we pay tribute to last contest's winner, our very own Madysin Shakespeare, who performed an opening song, "Toxis"
Madysin Shakespeare opens FOMAT IIIThe judges were then introduced, Shakespeare being herself one, and the other two being Dawn Gordon, producer of Erika Secord's Kalistani debut, and KRTVN Radio DJ Pedro Delgado.
The First Performer, Deltaria's Dj Mac, provided a techno track called "Around Terra". While the song was upbeat, and a pretty good way to open an international music show, some of crowd were a little slow to get into the song, a point noticed by the judges.
Deltaria's DJ Mac Delivers an upbeat techno track to open the contestThe Judges' response was fairly tepid to the contest opener as they gave their comments:
Shakespeare: Nice Techno Track. Good music to dance to. Good opening.
Gordon: It’s a bit repetitive. I can see hearing it at a rave, but not a real standout.
Delgado: DJ Mac is a good producer. He's technically proficient.
The next tune to be performed was Vascania's Zuranga Charna who performed her song "Sandals". This was an upbeat pop track in Charna's native language, and while the song caught on with the pop fan segment of the crowd, and primarily among the Vascanians in attendance, the judges still had to warm up to the singer.
Zuranga Charna performs Sandals at the FOMAT ContestHere was the judges' comments
Shakespeare: That song was good. She's got a good voice, and the crowd loved it.
Gordon: A well produced song. This song has got some real pop chops.
Delgado: It was pretty good, though I had to hit it for her not playing her own music.
Third Song up was the Gao-Soto entry, Toffee, who performed the song "Body Memory". This song was atmospheric and certainly one of the more interesting of the electronic entries in the contest, and clearly was technically more interesting than the previous two tracks. The judges seemed to enjoy it. The crowd also kept hyping the music acts and Body Memory was no different.
Toffee appears at FOMAT III playing Body MemoryThe Judges comments following the song were as follows
Shakespeare: It was nice and atmospheric. I kind of dug it. I might want to do that sometime.
Gordon: A well designed and mixed song. The mix was eclectic and balanced. I liked it.
Delgado: A bit more electronic that I usually spin. The crowd liked it, though.
The next act was Asena Tiraz, who burst out on stage with a high energy, heavy beat dance track. The singer, from Jakania, performed her song "Okyanus". The singer really engaged the crowd and the judges, and anyone who was at the show was clearly swept up in Tiraz' mesmerizing performance. After he song, the judges, even the Alternative Radio DJ, were effusive.
Asena Tiraz, from Jakania, performs "Okyanus"The Judges gave the song high praise
Shakespeare: She's hot. I think the song hits hard too. Nice mix of the traditional sounds with the modern.
Gordon: This Beat is pretty hard. It sounds great. Jakania has produced a top notch song.
Delgado: I like it, but again, I'm gonna ding it for just being a singer, without playing an instrument.
The show took a break with a commercial for caffeinated pop, and then returned for the final acts. The first band to come out was from Keymon, and it was called Starship 2 Yesterday. The music that this band played was classified as acid rock, and of course, Kalistanis were into it. The band performed with a fairly elaborate set of light and stage cues, and their relatively downbeat song was well received by the crowd. The Kalistani judges, who were in familiar territory, gave the song good marks.
Starship 2 Yesterday, Keymon's entry, performed "Drink Me"Here are the Judges' comments.
Shakespeare: This is different. I don't know if I would jam to this one. The ending was cool. Good singer.
Gordon: That classic acid rock sound. Interesting choice for Keymon. The band is very good
Delgado: Finally, we got a band! Yeah, I'd definitely play this stuff on the radio.
Next up, was Liorre guitar virtuoso Ashur Jang, who performed an upbeat tour de force on the guitar called "Siti Stiletto." The axeman earned more than a few Kalistani fans with his performance at the show, as he demonstrated exceptional technical skill in what was otherwise a fairly straight forward rock and roll song. Even pop singer Shakespeare warmed up to his charisma and skill when he was done. The crowd itself really enjoyed the performance.
Liore's Ashur Jang performs "Siti Stiletto" at FOMAT to great fanfareHere's what the judges had to say about the performance
Shakespeare: That guitarist is top notch. If I was doing this kind of music, I'd want that dude.
Gordon: Classic Rock sound. I can hear some funk influences in there, and Jang is very skilled.
Delgado: Yeah, here's some more rock. Great first outing for Liore.
The next act was a radical change for the concert, the single classical act in a show otherwise dominated by pop, electronica and rock. Wang Ru arrived from Yingdala to demonstrate excellence on the stringed instrument known as the pipa. When Wang took the stage an proceeded to play, the crowd was mesmerized, as were the judges, who awed at the technical proficiency of the artist. It certainly was a stand out performance that was greatly appreciated by the audience and the judges alike.
Wang Ru, from Yingdala, performs Heaven's Triumph, and amazes the audienceHere are the comments by the Judges:
Shakespeare: This is a different kind of music than I am used to. But I can't deny, I really enjoyed it.
Gordon: The music of this song was very lyrical. Wang's talent is without equal.
Delgado: I am very impressed with the skill and virtuosity. That was a fantastic performance.
The final performance of the evening was Hutori. Hutori, who won the first FOMAT returned to the contest after taking FOMAT II off to judge results, but this time, they sent a powerpop act known as Voyage to the show. "Never Stop Believing" was a feel good song, perfect for ending the contest, and expressing aspiration, but in the end, falling a little flat with the judges and the audience after the stellar acts that had preceded it.
Hutori's Voyage closes the show with "Never Stop Believing"The final comments issued by the Judges followed the performance.
Shakespeare: A feel good song at the end. Its nice to hear the rockers are making pop music too!
Gordon: Well, there is a reason this song is a huge hit in Hutori. I get it.
Delgado: Straight out Rock. Alright. The end made it for me.
Following a commercial, the judges delivered their verdict
In Eighth Place was Deltaria's DJ Mac, with 75 points
In Seventh Place was Vascania's Zuranga Charna, with 76 points
In Sixth Place was Hutori's Voyage, with 83 Points
In Fifth Place was Gao-Soto's Toffee, with 84 points
In Fourth Place was Starship 2 Yesterday, with 88 points
Tied for second was Liore's Ashur Jang and Yingdala's Wang Ru, both with 90 points
and the First place Winner is Jakania's Asena Tiraz's song "Okyanus" With 91 points!
Jakania is the winner of the FOMAT III Contest and FOMAT IV will be held in 5 years in Jakania. The winner thanked her fans and the audience who put her over the top.
We thank everyone for participating in this year's FOMAT contest, and look forward to FOMAT IV.
Below is the Judging sheets for transparency