The New Mexico Showcase, an annual competition highlighting New Mexico's best bands, is back for another round this year with some new heavy-hitters and the return of some old favorites.
If the name itself doesn't spark the light of familiarity in you, most people will recognize the name of the winner of last year's grand prize and the title of "Best Band in New Mexico" - Stoic Frame. Since winning last year, Stoic Frame has moved to Los Angeles, obtained a huge local following there while maintaining roots in New Mexico and played for major labels like Interscope and Warner Bros.
Stoic Frame is scheduled for a cameo appearance at this year's New Mexico Showcase, but it is by no means the main attraction.
With 40 bands in the line up and four weeks to cover all of them, October looks like it's shaping up to be a great time to be a music fan in Albuquerque. The band roster includes Feels Like Sunday, Seeing Blind, Nosotros, Requiem Mass, Mistletoe, Left Unsaid, Cell 13, The Love and Money Junkies. Red Earth, a runner-up from last year's competition, and Nels Andrews, who in May 2000, won the New Folk award at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, will also be playing.
With such a promising line up, it's no wonder that the four-week schedule still seems jam-packed. This Friday and Saturday four bands plus a special guest, will play downtown at the Launchpad, Club R & B, Indigo and Brewster's Pub. After the preliminary round, the quarterfinals will begin on Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m.
People looking to attend the shows are encouraged to buy wristbands, which will allow admission into all the venues. Advanced ticket sales are available in Albuquerque at the Blue Dragon Coffee House at 1517 Girard Blvd. All advance-sale wristbands are $5 or $7 at the door.
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The New Mexico Showcase has done some great things for the local talent in the past and is a proud tradition-in-the-making, looking to carve itself into that perfect niche that is needed to keep local music alive and vital in Albuquerque. Anyone interested in seeing some of the greatest music this city produces is strongly advised to devoting at least part of Friday night to checking out what's going on downtown. Chances are, you'll be hooked.
Additional information can be found at www.nmshowcase.com.
