Virgin Megastores Are Looking for the Next Big Band

Virgin Megastores Are Looking for the Next Big Band

Virgin Megastore Launch National Back To School 'Battle of the Bands' Competition to Find the Next Greatest Band

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Do you think you've got what it takes to be the next "Plain White T's", "Maroon 5" or "Daughtry"? Now's your chance to prove that you've got the best band in the country, in Virgin Megastore's first annual Battle of the Bands. Starting August 20, Virgin Megastores will start scouring the country looking for the next big band. The contest is open to any high-school or college-age band. Submitting your band is easy. Just drop off a copy of original music along with the band's bio for a chance to perform live at a Virgin Megastore. First prize winners in each city will receive a Virgin Megastore consignment deal in their local Megastore. The grand prize winner will also win travel and accommodations to attend an exclusive Industry Boot Camp with immergent Records in Los Angeles, track mixing, an evening with Virgin executives and other prizes.

"Virgin has always been passionate about introducing new artists to our customers, now we're taking it to the next level by opening up a nationwide audition to be the next big band," explains Dee Mc Laughlin, VP of Marketing, Virgin Entertainment Group, North America. "How many opportunities do high-school and college-bands have to be seen and heard by thousands of music fans as well as A&R executives? We think this is a great opportunity for aspiring musicians."

Submissions will be open at all 11 Virgin Megastores, however the actual Battle of the Band live performances will be held in 7 Virgin Megastore locations including: New York City, Orlando, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Customers and fans will be asked to vote for their favorite band, and be entered for a chance to win select prizes. Submissions will be collected during a two week period starting August 20th to August 31st. Chosen bands will begin battling it out live inside the seven selected Virgin Megastores September 10 - 21st. Then starting the week of September 24th fans will be able to vote online at http://www.virginmegamashup.com/.

The grand prize winner will be announced on October 1st.

"To be able to get the exclusive attention of one of the world's most foremost music retailers is quite an honor for any aspiring artist," commented David Helfant, SVP of A&R at immergent. "As an independent record label with a rather eclectic roster, we are happy to be part of this exciting contest to help bands on the path to success. By partnering with Virgin Megastores, the winner not only gets to place their music in front of an active audience, but also learns the ropes when it comes to recording, mixing, contract law, distribution, and marketing."

From August 20 - 31st bands can drop off their submissions at any U.S. Virgin Megastore, or online at http://www.virginmegamashup.com/ Submissions will not be accepted earlier than August 20th.

B-ROLL/PHOTO OPPS: Press can capture the entire contest from start to finish with photos or B-roll of the live band performances, the announcement of the winner, as well as, interviews with the contestants and Virgin Megastore and A&R Executives.

Schedule of in-store battles are listed below by location:

New York City
First Round September 16th
Final Round September 20th
Virgin Megastore/Times Square

Los Angeles
First Round September 12th
Final Round September 19th
Virgin Megastore/Sunset

Phoenix
First Round September 13th
Final Round September 20th
Virgin Megastore/Arizona Mills

Orlando
First Round September 14
Final Round September 21st
Virgin Megastore/Downtown Disney

San Francisco
First Round September 13th
Final Round September 20th
Virgin Megastore/San Francisco

Denver
First Round September 14th
Final Round September 21st
Virgin Megastore/Denver

Dallas
First Round September 14th
Final Round September 21st
Virgin Megastore/Grapevine Mills Mall

For more information on the event or to make your submission please log onto Virgin Megastore's new Social Media Newsroom at http://www.virginmegamashup.com/.

ABOUT VIRGIN ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Virgin Entertainment Group is the world's leading multi-channel music and entertainment retailer, providing customers with a range of superior entertainment experiences through a family of integrated Virgin-branded businesses. The "category killer" Virgin Megastores and Virgin Megastore Online at http://www.virginmega.com/ are integral parts of a strategy to provide entertainment customers with what they want, how they want it, and when they want it. For more information, or to check out the location of the nearest Virgin retail, go to http://www.virginmegamagazine.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Virgin Entertainment Group

CONTACT: Krysty O'Quinn of SJ Communications, +1-818-881-3889,
krysty@sjcommunications.com, for Virgin Entertainment Group

Web site:

http://www.virginmega.com/
http://www.virginmegamashup.com/
http://www.virginmegamagazine.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: There is B-Roll of Virgin Megastores available in DVD format. Please note it is not a VNR. If you would like a copy sent to you please contact: Krysty Ronchetti, 818.881.3889, Krysty@sjcommunications.com

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