Yonderhythm Song Contest
For almost three hundred years, more than two hundred planets across the Greater Oasis of the Milky Way have gathered annually for one of the most intense battles known to yonderkind.
Tears are shed, glass is shattered, as the most talented singers and performers compete to be crowned the champion of the yearly Yonderhythm event. Rivalry and conflict are put aside for the betterment of everyone in the Milky Way, and for a brief period, true peace exists. Or so, that is what Yonderhythm claims.
Yonderhythm is a charity organisation, using money raised by the public to fund relief aid, supply food, water, and shelter to those in need, and bring attention to environmental crises.
The contest takes place on Saventi, one of Razhea Capita's moons, in its largest arena. The Capital Stadium is nearly a kilometre in diameter, and is decked out with the most advanced technology available. Backstage runs as a labyrinth underground, with almost a thousand staff working diligently to ensure each annual event runs as smoothly as possible.
History
Origins
I have an idea. I want to bring people together. I want to feel love in the world again. Everyone is drifting apart, and I can feel the universe crumbling. I can bring us back together.
The very first Yonderhythm took place two hundred and eighty-five years ago, with thirty-five contestants from thirty planets. In its original state, participants were limited to just five solar systems; the Galanti Cluster, Kurhira System, Cantyma System, Sol System, and the Selvos Cluster.
The entire organisation was founded by Symphia Luhng, an opera singer and refugee from Morila, in the Galanti Cluster. Her planet suffered a silent attack from the oanie, inter-galactic colonisers hailing from Karkhala.
She was forced to migrate to Razhea Capita, native planet of razheans, the oanie's more powerful rivals. After living there she experienced the sensational blend of cultures from thousands of planets, feeling a true connection to the music she encountered.
As a person she was always willing to help those less fortunate, even if that meant losing out on opportunities for herself. Her warm personality and good nature meant it was easy for her to make connections around her new home. She spent her twenties living in a small apartment in Ossaco City, known for its vibrant night life.
Her opera career began at the age of twenty-five, performing for Dance 'Til You Drop, a euthanasia night-club. Symphia performed for a number of high-end clients, and by the age of twenty-eight, was one of the most prominent singers in the region.
The connections Symphia had formed helped her in forming Yonderhythm, when she was thirty-five. Symphia proposed an idea to a number of record labels around Razhea Capita and a number of planets in neighbouring solar systems. The idea of a singing contest between planets came to her after watching one of the same concept, only on a continental scale.
Yonderhythm: Year 1
The first year of Yonderhythm was a massive hit. Nothing like this event had ever occurred before, and tens of millions tuned in from over a hundred planets. Thirty planets sent in contestants, including two from Razhea Capita, two from Mars, one from Jupiter, Venus, Osao, Cilvarth, Ponriastea, Sophon, Vonoe, Silvernis, Daenis, and Kuvan, among others.
Entry level contestants performed in front of a live audience around seventy thousand, as well as live-streamed to another five million. All original songs were performed, each contestant tailoring the stage to fit their music. Voting took place live, eliminating the ten lowest scoring contestants.
Symphia's Death
Symphia tragically lost her life an hour before the 13th Annual Yonderhythm Finals. Reports claim her body language was off, and she had just fired ten individuals working for the Yonderhythm Company.The top twenty-five made it to the semi-finals, who competed by singing the same song, with an elevated stage and more eccentric outfits. The semi-finals made triple the revenue, with three times as many live audience members and five times as many live-stream listeners. The top-ten scoring contestants made it into the finals.
The finalists battled it out on a single stage, each taking turns in singing their chosen song. There were no crazy stages, nor outfits, just raw talent. The winner of the 1st Annual Yonderhythm was Hype Squad, a five-member girl group from Venus.
Recent Years
In the near three-hundred year history, almost nothing had changed about the structure of Yonderhythm. The only alterations were the number of initial contestants and the final stages. The number of contestants increased by five each year until a maximum of a hundred participants was introduced.
While the final performance was intended to be a much more subtle, heartwarming performance showcasing one's raw talent and charisma, each year finalists began pushing boundaries farther and farther. Costumes became as daring as the semi-finals, and stages grew grander. One of the most notable finalist performances involved a hologram the size of Luna, the sole moon orbiting Earth in the Sol System.
Contestants & Rules
As of the 7th annual Yonderhythm, no more than one contestant from a single planet can enter.
The winner of an Annual Yonderhythm may choose a music genre for the following year.
Contestants must have a combined social media followage of less than 10 million.
Allegations & Scandals
Aside from the 19th Annual Yonderhythm Scandal, there have been a number of other allegations against the Yonderhythm Company.
Embezzlement
I don't know.... ever since the tragic passing of Symphia, everything's just felt off, y'know? We know absolutely nothing about these new guys in charge.
The Profit Investigative Council, who looks into supposed corrupt organisations, spotted a pattern of possible embezzlement; almost ten percent of profits, claimed to have been donated to various charities, were mysteriously left un-documented. Suspicions grew and the Profit Investigative Council posted their findings on public forums, in the hopes of forcing the Yonderhythm Company to come clean.
This was two years after Symphia, the organisation's founder, had passed, and many people were already uncomfortable with the change in leadership. The Profit Investigative Council did not help the situation, and the Yonderhythm Company made a public announcement, claiming to make up for all money that had "mysteriously disappeared".
While the Yonderhythm Company hoped all would be forgiven, the general public were not so quick to forget. This scandal hung above their heads for many years to come, but thankfully tension has long passed now.
Discrimination
Casilla Maw appeared in the 280th Annual Yonderhythm as a celebrity guest. She had a heart-wrenching performance of Elisa Rhisoma's hit single Rush, leaving the audience in floods of tears.
And while the public were more than happy to see the most beloved member of the Galanti League share her more vulnerable side, Casilla Maw had other feelings.
Just a week after her surprise performance, Casilla took to social media to discuss her encounters behind the scenes. Casilla claimed she faced discrimination from staff on the basis of her being an equitoid, a shark sophont known to be rather dangerous. The public was outraged and demanded an explanation from the organisation.
The Yonderhythm Company released a short statement, neither confirming nor denying any acts of discrimination against Casilla. Rather, they suggested she was at fault, her own behaviour being the problem. Not a single person believed this story.
Notable Champions
Elisa Rhisoma
My heart flutters when I feel your touch,
Put your hand on my heart, feel the rush.
Elisa Rhisoma was champion of the 250th Annual Yonderhythm. She was often considered an underdog up until the finals, lacking in stage presence and boasting sub-par vocals. Nevertheless, she still managed to stay in the runnings, floating in the top 10 in every round.
For whatever reason, people were captivated by her natural beauty. Elisa carried a mirror on her at all times, which she claimed gave her confidence.
In her pre-performance interview, Elisa mentioned her love for the musical arts was something she was born with, and she always had a natural affinity for singing. People struggled to resonate with her story, given she could not hold a note, nor did she have perfect pitch, like almost all of the other contestants.
Elisa's final stage is what solidified her final position. Out of nowhere, Elisa began belting her original song Rush, with flawless execution. No autotune nor pitch correction was needed, despite lazy past performances. Elisa shocked the audience with her surprise talent, and won over fifty percent of all voters, the highest in recent history.
Skawova
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Skawova, who's real name is unknown, was a member of the Gaytors, a seven member boy band. He left the group in pursuit of a solo career, his popularity skyrocketing while leaving his old group in the dust. The Gaytors never forgave him, and Skawova never looked back. In fact, he hasn't mentioned the Gaytors in twenty years.
Skawova won the 285th Annual Yonderhythm. He was well known for his bold style, daring outfits, and being an icon in the queer community. Skawova encouraged the Yonderhythm Company to donate half of the profits from the 285th event to queer-focused charities, supporting those facing discrimination. Unfortunately, despite the vast majority of the Milky Way possessing progressive views in terms of identity, few civilisations stick to their primitive, outdated ways.
| Year | Name | Song | Home Planet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Hype Squad | Smell the Feeling | Venus |
| 2195 | Elisa Rhisoma | Rush | Venus |
| 2229 | Sixteen | Dozen | Razhea Capita |
| 2230 | Skawova | Banana Pancake | Ostibou |
Man, with art, lyrics, and everything. You continue to be awesome
aaaa thank you! <3