A Bermuda group has won the grand prize at a Middle East battle of the bands competition.

Ken Gober, Stefan Hinds, Lauretta Augustus, Rupert Hinds and Vernon Tucker -- better known as Exotique -- recently won the "Battle of the Bands'' in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Exotique, which formerly held a gig at Pier Six on Front Street, now performs as the resident band at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Dubai.

Organiser of the band competition Richard Best told The Gulf Today newspaper: "The atmosphere was very charged with excitement to begin with but Exotique lifted it to another level.

"They looked at home on a big stage, they looked classy and their performance was well choreographed. The lead vocalist sang like an angel and their choice of material was superb. They really lifted the crowd.'' The band, based in Atlanta, has performed in Japan, the US and the Caribbean before taking the Middle East by storm.

According to The Gulf Today the group has developed quite a following during its short stint in Dubai which ends in June.

Exotique's future plans include chasing a recording contract upon returning to the US.

ENTERTAINERS ENT