Shure has announced the three winning bands in its recent EMEA-wide band competition “Call for Legends – Live”. The first prize winners are the Lehmanns Brothers, an eight-piece soul/funk band from France.

The competition ran from September to December 2016 and the requirements were that bands entering had to be based in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East, or Africa) and to have a strong passion for live performances. To prove this, bands had to upload a video of a gig in front of a live audience, along with a band biography. The winning groups receive Shure equipment worth thousands of Euros, and the first-prize winner additionally has the opportunity of playing live at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, and of taking home a professional audio and video recording of their festival performance.

The competition has exceeded all expectations; during the 12-week search, a total of 516 groups from 35 different countries entered. The uploaded video performances were judged by a Shure-led panel including the UK band Blossoms and representatives from the Montreux Jazz Festival. After some long and difficult decision-making, the judges have now announced the winning three groups.

The first prize was won by jazz-influenced funk and neo-soul outfit Lehmanns Brothers, from Bordeaux, France. The band has been performing together since 2013, making music influenced by Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley's groundbreaking work with James Brown in the 1960s, and also 90s hip-hop and neo-soul. They released a four-track EP, Dreams & Nightmares, in 2015. The Lehmanns Brothers will now receive Shure equipment to a value of 5000 Euros, and perform live in Montreux in July 2017.

“We are so excited about this great opportunity and would like to thank Shure and the Montreux Jazz Festival for making our dreams come true”, says Julien Anglade of Lehmanns Brothers. “But of course we wouldn’t have been that successful without the great support of our fans and their votes. Thanks to all who believed in us and – rendez-vous in Montreux!”

The runners-up, Glasgow's new wave/post-punk quartet 100 Fables, and Shiivah from Toulon, France, win Shure equipment worth 3000 Euros and 1000 Euros respectively. Videos of the winning bands' performances can be seen at the following links:

• Lehmanns Brothers: https://youtu.be/A5wiVDbzFkM
• 100 Fables: https://youtu.be/Dypz5hvEXuA
• Shiivah: https://youtu.be/xahbkxrRs7M

"Since the first beats of “Boogie Man”, I knew Lehmanns Brothers would be at the top of my list. They are funky, groovy and it's the perfect band for a hot summer evening at the Montreux Jazz Festival. We are looking forward to see them live on the open air stage!” says Claudia Regolatti, Music in the Park booking and coordination at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Jens Rothenburger, Senior Marketing Manager at Shure EMEA, adds: "On behalf of Shure EMEA, I'd like to congratulate the amazingly talented Lehmanns Brothers on their victory in our Call for Legends - Live competition. It was hard fought and very well deserved. We hope they enjoy their new Shure gear, and we look forward to seeing them in Montreux later this year!"

More details on all three winners of the Call for Legends - Live contest can be found at the official site www.shure-call-for-legends.eu.