- Asian Beat 2016 Band Contest Results Announced, A Band "Gift" Representing South Korea Wins Grand Prize -

On November 5, Yamaha Corporation held the Asian Beat 2016 Finals at Tokyo Big Sight to determine the best amateur bands from eight countries and regions, mainly within Asia.

In all, eight bands were selected to showcase their talent and unique flare as national or regional representatives at Asian Beat 2016 after winning local contest finals for which 661 bands competed. Asian Beat welcomed a world-class bass player, Mr. Nathan East, as a guest judge to review each band.

The Grand Prize was awarded to "Gift", a band from South Korea which was highly praised for their impressive sound, high-level performance both as individuals and as a band, and the quality of their original song. The Second Prize was awarded to "leMeow" representing Canada, and the Third Prize to "POSEIDON" representing Malaysia.

The winning band's performance is scheduled to be uploaded to the Asian Beat Website* in late November.

*Asian Beat Website: http://asia.yamaha.com/en/about_yamaha/asianbeat/

(Photo1: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100577/201611086036/_prw_OI1fl_C4lkwfbH.JPG)

Contest Results

Group Prizes

                          Country/Region         Band Name

Grand Prize             South Korea           "Gift"

Second Prize           Canada                   "leMeow"

Third Prize              Malaysia                 "POSEIDON"

Individual Prize

                          Country/Region      Name (Band Name)

Winner                  South Korea           Seung Tae ("Gift")

Grand Prize Winner: "Gift" (South Korea)

(Photo2: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100577/201611086036/_prw_OI2fl_0UI6a2z2.JPG)

Second Prize: "leMeow" (Canada)

(Photo3: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100577/201611086036/_prw_OI3fl_nNlNMPaf.JPG)

Third Prize: "POSEIDON" (Malaysia)

(Photo4:

http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100577/201611086036/_prw_OI4fl_nDJ67Rxy.JPG)

Event Overview

Event Name:      Asian Beat 2016

Date & Time:     4 PM - 6:30 PM, Saturday, November 5, 2016 (Doors Open 3:30 PM)

Venue:              Tokyo Big Sight (3-4-10 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo)

Countries:          Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia,

                         Singapore, Ukraine

Guest Judge:      Nathan East (Bass Player)

Prizes:               Grand Prize:   $3,000 Yamaha Musical Instrument Voucher

Second Prize:      $1,500 Yamaha Musical Instrument Voucher

Third Prize:         $1,000 Yamaha Musical Instrument Voucher

Individual Prize:  $1,000 Yamaha Musical Instrument Voucher

Event Sponsor: Yamaha Corporation

(Photo5: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M100577/201611086036/_prw_OI5fl_8eu63GDA.JPG)

Asian Beat

Asian Beat is a global competition sponsored by the Yamaha Group to determine the No.1 band from amateur band competitions hosted in countries and regions mainly within Asia. Yamaha Corporation provides amateur bands with venues to perform in a contest format to promote band performances and national band scenes. This contest, which began as Band Alert in 1998, marked the 19th such competition.

Yamaha's website: https://www.yamaha.com/en/