Someone from Emergenza put me onto this one by email - it looks very interesting. Emergenza are ... well here's a selection of excerpts from from their site.

Top bands will be chosen to get live exposure on the open air circuit throughout 39 U.S. cities, as well as taking part in the Vans Warped tour, The Taubertal Open Air festival in Germany and radio exposure. Emergenza is an official scouting agent for TRACK 1 Records, The MECA Music Conference & Festival, and other international labels and promoters. The very best bands will be presented to the A&R teams.

 

Pop, Rock, Funk, Blues, Indie, Electronica, Metal, R’n’B, Drum 'n’bass, Alternative. Whatever your musical style, Emergenza is the festival for your band.

In the history of Emergenza the city with the largest audience attendance is Paris: 110585.

In the festival's history 3357 concerts have been produced. Largest audience in one night? Avalon/Boston: 2221 attendees.

The most recent band enrolled 18 minutes ago and is from United States of America <<< go 4 it!

Next year the world might be listening to your music... just don't forget to hand your demo in to your local manager by March 31st!

Q: Is there a registration fee to enter the festival?

A: The enrollment fee PER BAND is $70.00 in US and 75CAD$ in Canada. This ONE TIME enrollment fee guarantees the band's participation in the Elimination round of the Festival in their city. The participants will under no circumstances whatsoever be required to pay further fees to the organization.

• Did U Know? The most common band name in the history of Emergenza is SPLEEN ... it has been used 13 times :).

PLUS: $ 600,000 in prizes ... Ernie Ball, Ampeg, Crate, Mapex, Sabian, Sennheiser, Remo and many others compete to award the festival''s best musicians.

Here's the Emergenza site address http://www.emergenza.net/eng/default.asp It looks interesting and it might be just the break your band is looking for. Certainly worth investigation. Let's know how you get on if you go for it.