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Regional Finale of Project Aloft Star


Aloft Hotels, Bangalore, recently hosted the Regional Finale of the Project Aloft Star in India.

Project Aloft Star is a music talent discovery competition conducted by the Aloft brand in collaboration with MTV Asia that aims to identify and support the emerging music artists throughout China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. 

I was invited to watch the 5 finalists battle it out on the finale night to become India's second Project Aloft Star. 

Here's a photo tour...


As I was early, I popped-in to have a casual chat with the finalists to know them better...



Rohan Negi leads a band from the hills of Dehradoon, Uttarakhand. Rohan is a versatile artist who loves to explore new sounds and music styles. He is constantly composing new songs with a mission to bring pop culture back in India...


19 years old Sylvio Olvin is a self-taught musician. He was so excited at being a finalist of Project Aloft Star, that has brought him fame for his initial musical career. John Rozario plays the keyboard... 



Divya Venugopal is a Mumbai based musician as well as a practicing psychologist. She has been tinkling with music since the tender age of 2. She has participated in many TV shows and competitions and also sang many ad jingles...



The winner's trophy was waiting for the owner as we gathered for the final battle...



First performance was by the band Veda comprising of working professionals from different fields. Influenced by classical, blues, jazz, classic rock and new age rock, they classify their own unique style of music as 'fusion rock'. Members are Shrikanth Nair, Krishnaprasad Iyer, Unnikrishnan Vamadevan, Devadutta Baji... 



Next was the turn of Divya Venugopal and gang. Their rendition was really awesome and interesting...


The judges Hazel Ooi, Bobin James and Clinton Cerejo were putting their best ear forward to select a winner from such a talented lineup. 



Rohan Negi performed his latest single 'Main hoon tera radio' (I am your radio), a delightful blend between European music and Indian lyrics...


And then he performed 'Wake up Sid' which really worked up the crowd...



Between performances, the pretty compere was announcing the winners of lucky draw contests. My record of never winning a lucky draw remains intact...



Next up was Run Pussy Run, a Freak Funk project led by singer Gowri Jayakumar, Abhishek Debsikdar on drums and Anjo John on bass. The lyrics and compositions were really excellent...


Anjo John's single fingered limb seemed to be specially crafted that way for strumming the bass strings so beautifully... 



Finally it was Sylvio Olvin's performance. His rendition was received with applause and approbation by the crowd...



In the end, Gowri had the last laugh as her band Run Pussy Run was adjudged, Project Aloft Star winner! Quite deserving... 



Elated winners and the judges...

18 comments:

  1. What!!!! My dear Shiju, no food tasting, no cocktails? Just entertainment? Sounds like a fun event, nonetheless. I just hope you had a hearty lunch before viewing the competition!

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    1. Cocktails and canapés were served all through the event. The dinner buffet spread was really elaborate and interesting. I deliberately didn't cover the food part to give justice to the event at hand.

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  2. How exciting! You must have been a thrilling experience. WOW! Have wonderful weekend!

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  3. Wow! What an incredible opportunity! You got some great shots!

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  4. Looks like fun!
    Please come link up at image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/09/steam-powered-whatchamacallits.html

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  5. You get such amazing opportunities! How awesome that you were able to take part! Thank you for sharing with us once again at Photo Friday!

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  6. I'm always in awe of the events you get to attend! Such a fun life!

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  7. What a brilliant event, so lovely to see talent being nurtured like this

    Mollyxxx

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  8. WOW That would have been really exciting to hear adnI wondered did you manage to pick the right winner? Have a good week ahead.

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    1. To a music novice like me, all five bands sounded equally creative. Hope the judges got it right as they must be more aware of the technical aspects.

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  9. Wow, sounds like a fun event. Something similar to our "Voice". Have a happy new week!

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  10. Good shots and a good event fun too :-)

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  11. Hearing a range of top level music must have been an exciting experience. Great range of photos capturing the personalities of the musicians.

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  12. Thank you for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/09/shake-those-tail-feathers.html. You've shared some great shots, as always!

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  13. A different kind, yet interesting.
    Very well taken.

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  14. It's great that you get to attend so many awesome events. Nice pictures.

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  15. Wow a great set, I love the pictures and I'd love to hear some of the acts!

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