Special Guest: Igor Falecki from Poland
And so with the dying ring of Josh’s final crash that was it, the final was over, but before the judges disappeared to make their deliberations one more surprise was in store for the audience. Unseen by any except the band and crew, a very small figure had made his way round behind the stage and whilst Dom kept the audience busy on the mic he now took a seat behind one of the drastically lowered Mapex Saturn kits. Whilst the name Igor Falecki may not at present mean much too many of you out there, those sharp eyed U Tubers amongst you may recognise the description, especially as more than one and a half million of you have seen his videos over the last couple of years. At just 6 years of age, Igor who hails from Poland was only 4 when his first video appeared on U Tube. Already endorsed by Vic Firth, Sabian and Mapex he is I guess the drumming equivalent of Tiger Woods, and will probably go on to enjoy as much success. Barely visible behind the kit, Igor counted the band into a big old blues number, locking them into an old school roots groove with a maturity way way way beyond his years. His sticking was flawless and his tempo unwavering, now I’ve heard a lot of youngsters play the drums over the years but if there is such a thing as reincarnation Igor was most definitely a drummer last time round. The audience, and me too if I’m honest were stunned by his playing ability and when he left the stage to rejoin his proud parents it was to rapturous applause. Watch this space, as they say in the press.

So this time that really was it, and with the judges beating a hasty retreat to the VIP area the Allstar band, now with their regular drummer back in the chair, took to the stage for a final time, delivering a smoking twenty minute set that kept the audience firmly in the mood. I must admit I didn’t envy the judges their decision, every one of the ten finalists had played exceptionally well and to me and I think most of the people in the room, the competition was just too close to call.But call it the judges had to and twenty minutes later with the closing notes of RTL’s superb rendition of ‘Unchain my heart’ still ringing in our ears, Dom brought the ten finalists back to the stage. After being joined by his fellow judges and Miles Chen of Mapex Drums, Dom briefly talked through how tough the judges decision had been to reach, explaining that for both playing categories the winner had been decided by just one point. The winner of the Groove section was announced as Germany’s own Thomas Heinz, and in the Technical section the title went to Julien Goepp of France. Both winners deserve hearty congratulation as they beat off mighty competition to take the prize. Over the coming months both Thomas and Julien will visit with the Drummers Institute in the USA, further honing their skills with some of the worlds principal percussion teachers. As far as the UK is concerned, Josh Devine will be performing at the Drummer Live show on Sunday the 15th of June whilst our other national finalist, John Hirst, will be appearing at some special Mapex events later in the year, I urge you to check them out.