Business & Money | Monday 11 September, 2017 5:00 am |

Top music moguls from across the GCC have been brought together by FLASH Entertainment, organisers of Yasalam, the largest city-wide entertainment festival run by any race-host city, to judge this year’s Emerging Talent Competition (ETC). Multi award-winning Hollaphonic’s Olly Wood, Vice President Marketing and Promotions at Universal Music MENA Rania Hamadeh, and Founder and Director of the region’s premiere talent management agency, the Fridge’s Shelley Frost, will use their expertise to find the region’s next star.  

Open to GCC residents for the first time, the competition calls for aspiring artists to submit their entries for the opportunity of a lifetime. The winner of ETC will receive a year-long house band residency in The Village at du Arena, along with the chance to perform on the final evening of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. These performances provide an exceptional platform for reaching an incredible audience and potential scouts.

Commenting on the all-star panel, John Lickrish, CEO of FLASH Entertainment, said: “The Emerging Talent Competition is the ultimate platform for local musical artists to showcase their talents, so it is only fitting that we have the best in our industry on the judging panel. FLASH prides itself on offering a prestigious platform for up-and-coming talent to jumpstart their careers and connect with a regional audience. Not only will this year’s ETC be an incredible opportunity for artists, but it will also play an integral role in shaping the region’s music scene due to it now being open to entrants from across the Gulf. Each year we see something different, and we are looking forward to seeing what decision the judges make this November as the top four finalists take to the stage.”

This year’s panel sees the return of Oliver Wood – one half of the multi-award winning duo, Hollaphonic. Starting out in 2013, Wood and Greg Stainer shot straight to stardom as the first ever electronic music act to be signed to a major label in the Middle East. Alongside being regional favourites, the duo has also received international recognition and acclaim for Hollaphonic’s album hits reaching top twenty in eight countries by winning places on the global Shazam trending chart, Smash of the Week and BUZZCHART with DMC Magazine. Wood has opened for music giants including David Guetta, Coldplay during the 2011 New Year’s Eve concert, hosted by FLASH, and Calvin Harris amongst others. With all their future plans and past successes, Hollaphonic is on a constant rise to the top and Wood’s experience in electrifying the music world will be pivotal in guiding the GCC’s aspiring talent.

 

Returning alongside Wood to the judging panel is Vice President of Marketing and Promotions at Universal Music MENA Rania Hamadeh, bringing with her over 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She has held senior-level positions within both local and multinational organizations dealing with entertainment programs. As a result, Hamadeh has an extensive skillset ranging from knowledge of talent acquisition, artist relations, digital media, branded content and activations. With her deep understanding of the ins and outs of the local entertainment industry, Hamadeh is an incredible addition to the panel.

 

Completing the lineup is Shelley Frost, the Founder and Director of artist management company, The Fridge. As a performer based in the Middle East herself, Frost has both the technical understanding of how to nurture talent within the region and first-hand experience of what it means to be an artist. As such, she is committed to understanding the subtleties of entertainment in the region, and promoting a vibrant and inclusive platform for the arts. In addition to managing high-profile events, she is also a co-founder of the ChoirFest Middle East. Frost exhibits a passion for shaping the entertainment industry in the GCC, which makes her an invaluable asset to the panel.