The final three bands in the first-ever Alberta edition of the Peak Performance Project will take the stage to compete for more than $100,000 on Thursday night at the Republik nightclub, 219 17th Ave. S.W.
From a huge field of entrants to a semi-final 12 and now down to a final three, it’s been a long road of performing and perfecting sound and stage presence for the last musicians standing: Edmonton rock ‘n’ roll “marching band” The Wet Secrets, Brooks-based folk-pop-rockers Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk and eclectic Calgary alt-pop soundscapists 36?, each of which has one last chance to prove it deserves the grand prize of $100,953 (the final three digits being a nod to sponsoring radio station The Peak 95.3 FM).
The winner will be announced live at the end of Thursday’s performances, but even the bands that don’t win the night will go away happy – the second- and third-place finishers take home $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.
The aim of the Peak Performance Project, run by Alberta Music along with 95.3 The Peak, is to develop emerging Alberta-based artists and prepare them for the next leap forward in their careers. The project was originally created in Vancouver by that city’s Peak radio station and B.C. Music. During the course of the months-long annual program, performers are coached to hone their marketing skills as well as their musicianship and performances. They also perform multiple showcases meant to focus them on emphasizing their strengths and shoring up any weaknesses.
Thursday’s grand finale gets underway at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 each, and can be purchased here.