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TNL Onstage has been and continues to be one of the biggest platforms for promising local musicians. Having launched way back in 1999, TNL Onstage is currently in its 13th Season. Throughout the years, numerous artists from a variety of genres have found Onstage to be their haven for exposure and recognition.
The event takes place across a span of 4 months during the course of which all participants undergo a rigorous training programme inclusive of workshops, training sessions and one-on-one work with established musicians. Look forward to more details regarding the introductory sub-event to TNL Onstage called the TNL SpinOff. This year, Ashanthi's School of Music is on board as the Official Music School, with Tareeq Musafer and the DJ Academy being the Official Consultant for the SpinOff category.
Those who’ve been part of Onstage previously have gone on to become legends in the local music industry, testifying that the event is one that produces true maestros. On this introductory feature some familiar faces from the industry share their experience at Onstage and the momentum it gave to their musical careers.
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Billy Fernando - I was part of the band “Ezra” and we happened to win Onstage in 2002. I took part in 2001 with a different band but unfortunately we did not win. When 2002 came about, there was no band called Ezra as such. There were five members in Church. Actually Onstage was the reason that made Ezra to happen. When we got to the finals and we got on stage, we just got this feeling that we shouldn’t be doing this particular song. We changed one song in the end, and I think that song was the reason we won as well! I think I was 17 or 18 the time I took part in Onstage and this was the time I was trying to make a career out of music. I was in the scene but not professionally. My first band and first performance as a band was at TNL Onstage – it helped me do the music that I really wanted to do and Onstage gave that platform. Sri Lanka has got talent, so support local music.
CC (Winner of TNL Onstage 2007 solo category) – My onstage experience was memorable for two reasons. One is that although I was comfortable as a singer, this really pushed me out of the box, performance vice. I had been singing for four years by the time I took part, and I wanted a platform for my singing to launch. I looked around and the best and biggest stage around was TNL Onstage. Taking part was a rollercoaster ride, so many emotions I’ve never experienced before. I got to play with an awesome band, Daddy. No matter where you are musically, I believe Onstage has something to offer you.
Ranil Goonewardena – In 2000 I took part in Onstage with a band called De Ja Vu, and we were lucky enough to win that year. It gave me a lot of experience, in terms of being on stage and performing to a very demanding audience even at that time. We didn’t have much technology back then like we do now. Having received the affirmation that I needed that I was going to be a musician and that I was going to take this up for a career, Onstage gave me that extra drive to push towards my goal. Competition is fiercer now with raised standards, but you need to get out of the shower and get on stage!
Paranoid Earthling – We took part in Onstage back in 2002. It was Onstage that chose us, we did not expect it that well when we sent in the demos. A letter came confirming selection, and we packed our guitars all the way from Kandy and
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came over to perform. It was challenging because we were not sure how the Colombo crowd to respond to us, who were used to playing to audiences in Kandy. And when we started playing the crowds just went completely crazy!! That was a great experience.
Doctor – TNL Onstage was the first meet-up incident and we thought of forming a band. The experience was really good because that was the first time facing an audience of such nature; because of TNL Onstage the fear of performance is no longer in us. We at Doctor know there’s a long way for us to go, bu thanks to TNL Onstage for the push we got at such an early stage.
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Javeen (Tantrum) - We took part back in 2005. TNL Onstage was the only big competition back then. We wanted to take part and see where we could go. It was a great experience. You always become competitive when you are part of a competition. It is about giving your best and it helped us to work harder. In fact we entered our application in 2004 as well, but did not even get selected! But when we cut in 2005, the entire line up changed and we went on to win the title.
By Nivedha Jeyaseelan
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