In one of the more inspired band competitions seen in recent years, an enthusiastic audience crowned Zombi Emoji the winners at Amplify’s The Show 9.0 on Sept. 27 at City Arts Space.
The five band members, who played their hearts out aided by impressive choreography and dramatic lighting, will split the $500 cash prize to Long and McQuade Music Stores said Grace Daly, drummer and backup vocalist.
This was the band’s first live performance since they formed in January 2024 through Paul Kane High School’s Rock and Pop program.
“We were shocked. None of us expected to win. All the other bands were so truly incredible. We were asking ourselves how we were going to hold up against these great bands. Going in, we didn’t expect anything. For us the excitement was performing for a big audience. We wanted to show what we could do,” said Daly.
In addition to Daly, the fivesome includes Mamie Davage (main vocalist), Jordane Allen (lead guitar, vocals, sax and drums), Brook Shaw (bassist, vocals), and Abbi Sled (guitarist, vocals).
The all-girl band lit up the stage with a danceable 25-minute set. The cover songs featured diverse music styles that delivered everything from pop and rock to funk and jazz. Bruno Mars, Blur, Santana, Clairo, Evanescence, Rod Stewart and Chappell Roan songs were sung, albeit with Zombi Emoji’s unmatched interpretation.
“My personal theory of why we won is because we had a variety of styles and could offer something to different demographics and different audiences that they would have known. We tried to pick songs that could connect with a wider audience and people from five to 80 could enjoy,” Daly said.
Although The Show 9.0 was Zombi Emoji’s first live performance, Daly said the individual musicians have long honed their musical chops performing in St. Albert Children’s Theatre, Paul Kane High musical theatre program and as members of different bands.
“We’d really like to give a big thank you to Mr. Reis. He teaches pop and rock and he’s done so much for us. He’s always been very supportive of us and gotten us through quite a few pinches in the past," Daly said.
