FPAN Youth's Live! Music Getaway:

FROM ISSUE # 64 (April 2001) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Central Youth Working Group of the Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) organized a music contest on March 3, at the Birendra International Convention Ground. The event Live! Music Getaway was aimed at encouraging budding young talents in the city, promoting 'Positive Music', and, primarily, creating awareness about issues related to sex and reproductive health. The organizers also hoped to get more volunteers in the FPAN Youth Working Group, as there were registration forms on the ticket. The tickets also included a survey on sexual abuse and a voting sheet for the contest. Although there were the Open (members aged 25) and the School Category (Grades 7,8,9,10) initially, it was later combined as there were only 10 bands participating, of which 3 were from the open category, and the age group of the bands were more or less the same, except for the band Hybrid Pressurize, the youngest participants (grade 9). The four judges were Yubakar (Editor of WAVE), Srijana Yonjan (social worker), Robin (Robin n Looza:) and Om Bikram Bista. The bands were judged on creativity, showmanship, lyrical content and command over the instrument. Every band was allowed to perform 2 songs, out of which one of them needed to have lyrics related to social problems, and also, one had to be a Nepali song.

'They were the only band that had it together…they were tight." said Robin, referring to Hybrid Pressurize, while the scores were being calculated. Hybrid Pressurize were also the winning band of the Inter-School Band Competition held last year at Ideal Model School. Most of the contestants sounded like they have had little or no previous stage experience as a band. The Jars got together only about 3 days before the competition. L.A.C had a good performance with the front man rapping away. The bassist got carried away to an extent that his guitar got unplugged from the stage amp. and he had to rush back and fix the little problem. L.A.C also had a large audience support. The votes that the audience cast totals to 20% of the total vote. While the scores were being calculated, the guest performers took centerstage.

The award distribution ceremony was held after the performances. The MCs of the event were Chirag (from K.A.T.H 97.9 FM) and Nayantara, who was also the main organizer of the event. The event was completely managed by Volunteers.

Winning Band- LAC Band (Little Angels College won Rs. 10, 000)
1st Runner Up- Anonymous (from NIST, won Rs. 8, 000)
2nd Runner Up- The Jars (from Shuvatara school O/A Levels, won Rs. 6,000)
Consolation- Hybrid Pressurize (Shuvatara School) and Inferno (from St. Xavier's College). Both bands were awarded Rs. 2,000 each.