Star Quest bands shine on debut performance

It was an impressive debut night for the six bands in Star Quest 2012, Nigeria’s first and only band based music talent hunt competition. The bands: Crystals, D’Rays, Quantum Vibes, Soul Rhythm, Da Blingz and Golden Clef, all gave commanding displays during their very first public performance in Lagos recently.

The six bands were formed from the 36 qualifiers from the Star Quest 2012 Grand Audition. The qualifiers made their way to Star Fameland, where they grouped themselves into the six bands.

The days leading to their first performance as musical bands before a live audience found them engaging in several rehearsal sessions. And when the night did come, they did well enough to justify their qualification from the Grand Audition.

The bands’ first Grand Performance, which was held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, saw a large capacity crowd turning up to see the future music stars display their talents.

The first band to mount the stage was The Crystals led by Godwin Edim Inyang. The group also had drummer, Emmanuel Oghenakogie and keyboardist Daniel Onibudo. Completing the group were Civian Obehi and Tinuke Afolaya, both vocalists, with Romeo Ukwudike as the rapper for the group. While the band members all gave a great account of themselves, Mohawk spotting rapster, Romeo Ukwudike, emerged as the star of the show. His confidence seemed to be the rallying point for the band as they waltzed their way through Yori Yori’ by Bracket and Dilemma by Nelly and Kelly Rowland. Kudos should also go to the hip twisting svelte duo of Civian Obehi and Tinuke Afolayan.

Then it was time for the next group, Quantum Vibes to take to the stage. The band had keyboardist Fatola James as bandleader rocking the stage along with Michael Ayobamidele Leramo on the bass guitar, drummer Theophilus Otevwogbiku and Akinnola David as the group’s guitarist. Wakpor Aghomise and Tega Apochi were the band’s vocalists.  Delta State born Tega Apochi stood out from others in the group. And it wasn’t just her impressive Mohawk hair weave that stood her out. Apochi brought out all of the dazzling qualities that saw her emerge from the Benin regional auditions to bear on the night. Her stunning voice brought the members of the audience to their feet. Quantum vibes did justice to Dr Sid’s Over the Moon and Umbrella by Rihanna. Though the audience were asking for more, they had to leave the stage for the next band, ‘Golden Clef’ to perform.

It was a golden performance for Golden Clef as they sustained the tempo, with their enactment of ‘Port Harcourt Boy, by Duncan Mighty and ‘I Gotta Feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas.  The band members, Aramogho Oghenekewe(drummer), Chukwudi Okafor (bass guitar), Michael Asuquo (lead guitar) Sunny Francis Igwe (keyboard), with Frederick Ivory Chijoke and Amaka Nwokeabia, both vocalists, certainly got the crowd dancing along to their sonorous renditions of the songs.

Soul Rythm, the fourth band to take the stage, gave a commanding performance of Kiss Your Hands, originally performed by R2Bees featuring Wande Coal’s and R Kelly’s When a Woman loves. The band members led by Alfred Ayokanmi (drummer) are Yususf Isaac (keyboardist), Yemi Obamawusan (Bass guitarist). Naomi Oboyi and Paul Chris, both vocalists and Staessi Chima (rapper) did their quest for emerging winners of the competition no harm.

The fifth and the sixth bands, Da Blingz and D’ Rays, did not disappoint as they both gave the audience fleeting moments of their brilliance on stage. Da Blingz, comprising Nnam Uche and Omotosho Oluwole, both saxophonists, Victor Ogbujah (keyboardist), Solomon Ehijaitor (drums), Egedi Ewoman (vocalist) as well as band leader Wily Emmanuel (bass guitarist) got the audience dancing to Fallin In Love by D’Banj and No One, by Alicia Keys.

As for  D’Rays which had Darlington Otti on the keyboard, Stanley Ogbebor on the drums, the trio of Alfred Nkemjika, Edafe Supply Moore and Uyimwen Igiehon as vocalists and Eguh Tobore, the band leader performed Tuface Idibia hit sing, For Instance, which elicited positive response from the crowd.

Their encouraging performances notwithstanding, the fates of the six bands lies with the voting public. Three of the bands will be eliminated via audience SMS votes leaving the remaining three to vie for the final position.

The winning group will get a staggering prize of a record contract worth N7.5 million, N3.6 million cash, a brand new minivan as well as one year’s accommodation in a choice area in Lagos state.