Christchurch finalist Clap Clap Riot has been crowned the winner of MTV Kickstart 2008.
The out and out rock ‘n’ roll band beat out finalists Bear Cat, Cause for Alliance and Lydia Cole from Auckland and Tauranga’s Trigger Theory.
The national winner was announced at Friday night’s concert in Auckland in front of a live audience recorded for an exclusive show that premieres on MTV, Sunday June 22 at 8.00pm.
Kickstart is an initiative of MTV Networks Australia and New Zealand set up to literally ‘kick start’ the career of an artist or band by giving them all the tools necessary to break into the music industry.
Clap Clap Riot takes away a music package worth more than $210,000. The package includes a single recording and distribution deal, video grant, TV and radio airplay, publicity and travel package.
“Clap Clap Riot is certainly a worthy recipient of the MTV Kickstart package,” says MTV Programming Scheduler Katherine Northover. “The four piece band demonstrated extreme talent and impressed not only the hyped up audience, but the judges who went into this competition with extremely high expectations.
Kickstart attracted more than 200 entries from all over New Zealand. Thirty-two were called to auditions in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland and the finalists chosen by a panel of music industry judges including MTV Networks executives, music industry representatives, and successful musicians and media such as P-Money and Mikey Havoc.
Judge Damian Alexander from successful New Zealand band Blindspott says the winning group outperformed the other finalists on the night.
“Clap Clap Riot simply put on the best performance, really tight and it was obvious they were having a good time. The audience really got behind them – the crowd just kept on shouting for them. It’s been a fantastic event and great for music in New Zealand.”
The five finalists battled it out at the MTV Kickstart final at the Viaduct Harbour Marine Village in Auckland.
