KRAKEN Win New Delhi Leg of Hornbill On Tour

After two successful shows in Mumbai and Bengaluru, Hornbill On Tour made its last stopover at New Delhi on October 22nd. The competition witnessed five of the city’s most promising bands battling it out to win a spot on the Hornbill International Rock Contest shortlist. The Nagaland festival, which is known for its pan-India as well as international appeal, will be held in December.

The New Delhi winners of Hornbill On Tour, Kraken being felicitated by the jury.

The contestants at the New Delhi leg were prog rock band October, rockers Kraken, ambient-electronic band TankBund, alt-rockers Chaos In The Capital and prog rockers Udan Tashtri. The close competition saw Kraken — with their energetic set and great musicianship — emerge as winners. The jury of the night were veteran musicians Chintan Kalra, Valentine Shipley and Chayan Adhikari [of folk-rock outfit Advaita.]

Kraken was felicitated by the jury and Mr. Theja Meru [of Nagaland’s Music Task Force] and Arpito Gope [of Rolling Stone India.] The New Delhi leg of Hornbill On Tour was presented in association with VANS and Rolling Stone India, and organised by MTF, which is the only state government body in the country that promotes rock music. With Hornbill On Tour, MTF taking the Hornbill music festival outside of Kohima for the first time.

All three winners from the three editions of Hornbill On Tour — Daira from Mumbai, Peepal Tree from Bengaluru and Kraken from New Delhi — will travel to Nagaland to participate in the international rock contest. Hornbill International Music Festival is part of the larger Hornbill Festival organized by Nagaland’s State Directorate of Tourism every year to showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage. The events last year ranged from tribal dances and photo contests to motor cycle rally, night carnival, Naga chili eating contest, literature and cinema festival, theater  and various other cultural performances. The music festival also hosts India’s most lucrative band contest that attracts dozens of bands from across the country to participate every year. The winner gets a prize of Rs 10 lakh, and the first and second runners up Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh respectively. Past winners include Bengaluru’s prog-metal band Slain, Delhi rockers Indigo’s Children, glam-rock outfit Adam’s Apple from Darjeeling, and Kolkata-based rock bands The Hobos and Underground Authority.