FASY’s performance at the Emergenza semi-finals at West One Four in London on 6th May was described by one of the event organizers as “phenomenal”. Following a record-level vote from the ecstatic audience, FASY has gone through to the regional finals of the “world’s no.1 unsigned bands” event, due in July at the Mean Fiddler in London.

The support from fans, both Maldivian and from other parts of the world, was remarkable. The Maldivian Student Association’s efforts are to be congratulated. And without the financial support from the Ministry of Information, Arts and Culture and from Bandos Island Resort the band’s trip to the UK would not have been possible. This support for promoting Maldivian musicians is greatly appreciated by the members of the band.

The band would like to thank Maizan Ali Manik, Ali Hussain Didi, Mariya Ali, Ralf Teschner, Ahmed Hisham Saeed (Andhu), Julisha Ibrahim, Mohamed Zein Hassan and Aishath Lu-u-lua Hassan for their dedication to making this night a success. The band also appreciates the continuous support and encouragement from their families.

The finals will be even more competitive and will again be based on audience vote, plus a jury of 20-30 music industry professionals who will also be looking out to sign up new bands for recording contracts. Judges will come from Jar Music Network, Sony, EMI, V2, Fairbanks endorsements as well as festival booking agents for ‘V Festival’ and ‘T in the Park’. The band will play in front of 6,000 people at the Mean Fiddler in London, a venue used by numerous superstar bands and musicians.

Six bands from the UK finals will be put to a panel of judges who will pick two bands to play at the World finals, the Taubertal Festival in Germany in August 2006. Here they would play alongside bands like Metallica. This is what the band will be preparing for when they return to the Maldives on 9th May 2006.

This is the first time a Maldivian band has made a mark at an international level. The band has grown its fan base and they would like Maldivians living in the UK to encourage their friends to come in large numbers and vote for them to make sure FASY carries the Maldivian name to the Emergenza World Finals.

When and where? (to be confirmed)

Possible Dates: 23 and 30 July 2006
Venue: Mean Fiddler
Address: 157 Charing Cross Road, London
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road, on Central Line and Northern Line