Searching for hot new musical talent for YO!Fest 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11th March 2015

Brussels, 11th March 2015 // The European Youth Forum, along with Jeunesses Musicales International has launched its YO!Fest 2015 Emerging Bands Contest, which is now open to all Belgian bands with musicians between the ages of 15 and 25. It is the opportunity to showcase young Belgian musical talents to a wide audience as the winners will play at the YO!Fest 2015 in Brussels.

Those entering the contest stand the chance to open for Massilia Sound System, the famous band from Marseille, France, on the evening of the 6th of May on the Esplanade in front of the European Parliament in Brussels.

YO!Fest, now in its 6th edition, is the annual youth festival organised by the European Youth Forum, that combines politics, debates and workshops with live music and a variety of artistic performances, creating the perfect mix for an enjoyable and meaningful experience.

There are two gig spots on the main stage up for grabs! The two selected bands will be playing in front of thousands of people in the heart of Europe in front of the European Parliament. Bands must submit their entries by the 8th of April via the official YO!Fest Emerging Bands Contest website and will be notified by the 15th of April whether they have been selected to play at the YO!Fest.

The jury of the YO!Fest Emerging Bands Contest is composed of professionals from diverse backgrounds, all sharing a passion for music, from the Jeunesses Musicales International, Pure FM, Deezer Belgium, Ancienne Belgique, Liveurope, 22 tracks and the European Youth Forum.

ENDS///

Notes to the editors :

To enter the competition and for more info visit the official YO!Fest EBC website: www.yofestebc.eu

How does it work?

All you need to do is submit your entry by 8th April with your band's info+links and convince us you're the right band to choose!

Who can apply?

Belgian bands with maximum 8 members that are between 15 and 25 years old.

What you can win?

The jury will pick two winning bands. The bands will have a 30 minutes performance on the Main Stage at YO!Fest 2015. The winners will be taken from two different categories : Electro/Indie/Pop and Ethno/Folk

What do you get?

The bands will get accommodation (if needed) + travel costs + 50 euros for each member. * The winners will be announced on 15th April by email and/or by telephone. * Please attach your songs/music videos at the bottom of the application form

Press contacts:

Alexandre Beddock, European Youth Forum, alexandre.beddock@youthforum.org / press@youthforum.org, + 32 2 793 75 37

Matt Clark, Jeunesses Musicales International matt@jmi.net, +32 2 513 97 74

About the YO!Fest

2015 marks the 6th edition of YO!Fest, the annual Youth Festival organised by the European Youth Forum. Mixing political debates and workshops with live music and artistic performances, YO!Fest aims once again to mobilise young people and youth organisations across Europe. More about YO!Fest2015: www.facebook.com/yofest ; http://www.youthforum.org/latest-news/gearing-up-for-yofest-2015/ About the European Youth Forum The European Youth Forum is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. Independent, democratic, youth-led, it represents 99 National Youth Councils and international youth organisations from across the continent. The Forum works to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives, by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations towards the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. For more information, visit www.youthforum.org

About Jeunesses Musicales International

JMI (Jeunesses Musicales International) is the world’s largest network of youth and music organisations with members in over 70 countries carrying out 40,000+ activities annually, outreaching more than 6 million young people. Founded in Brussels (Belgium) in 1945, JMI works tirelessly to enable young people to develop through music across all boundaries. JMI’s activities are built upon the principals of access to music for all, development through music education (formal/non-formal/informal) and increasing active participation in society through music. JMI works for and with youth, empowering them with the tools they need to succeed, using the power of music to bridge social, geographical and cultural divides and create an international platform for intercultural dialogue and acceptance. For more information, visit www.jmi.net