Hornbill National Rock Contest Announce Shortlisted Bands

The youngest, freshest talent from across the country are often  a restless bunch, applying to each and every competition that comes their way. This time around, the call comes from Kohima in Nagaland. The town is hosting 24 bands shortlisted for the seventh edition of Hornbill National Rock Contest, which is a part of the Hornbill Festival. One of the biggest platforms for rock in the country, the annual festival will take place between December 1^st to 7^th. The chosen bands will compete on the last four days of the festival, starting December 4th.

What makes it a big deal for bands is the massive pay-off for winners. The bands selected for the contest are competing for a top prize of Rs 5 lakhs, a second place prize of Rs 3.5 lakhs and third place prize of Rs 2.5 lakhs. Individual prizes for bands come at Rs 30,000 each, for categories such as best guitarist, vocalist, bassist and drummer. In addition, sponsored prizes are also up for grabs.

That said, the competition this year features Mumbai’s alt-punk band Blek, hardcore four-piece Reverrse Polarity [who are playing their first gig since they began recording their album in May] and Chennai’s indie rockers The Shakey Rays. Alt metallers Rogue Saint, groove rock band Jester and psychedelic rock band Moonshine are also coming in fromNew Delhi. In 2010, progressive rock band Slain represented Bengaluru when they won the title at the Hornbill National Rock Contest. This year, progressive metal band Escher’s Knot, experimental metallers Cheisrah, and alt rockers Mind Wanderer represent Bengaluru this year include.

Four local bands from Nagaland are also representing the town. This includes Clueless Attention, who gained entry by default after winning last year’s competition, along with metallers Black Rose, gospel band Cadence and alternative rock band Four Fields.

 

Shortlisted bands for Hornbill 2012:

 

Rogue Saints (New Delhi)

Blek (Mumbai)

The Shakey Rays (Chennai)

Scarface (Kolkata)

Street Stories (Shillong)

Mind Wanderer (Bengaluru)

24×7 (Lonavla, Pune)

Escher’s Knot (Bengaluru)

Gingerfeet (Kolkata/ Darjeeling)

Ably Aizawl, (Mizoram)

Moonshine (New Delhi)

Thikscinned (Pune)

Rudranath (Dehradun/ New Delhi)

The Blitz (Kolkata)

Arihant (Guwahati)

Jester (New Delhi)

Reverse Polarity (Mumbai)

Cheisrah (Bangalore)

Adam’s Apple (Darjeeling)

IIIrd Chapter (Imphal)

Clueless Attention (Nagaland)

Black Rose (Nagaland)

Four Fields (Nagaland)

Cadence (Nagaland)

 

Hornbill National Rock Competition takes place from December 4th to December 7th at the IG Stadium in Kohima, Nagaland. Event details here.