The Hornbill International Rock Contest, part of the annual Hornbill Festival, will take place at Solidarity Park, Kohima, Nagaland, from December 6 to 10. This year, the competition is open not only to Indian acts but international ones as well. Special featured acts from the UK, which will be announced soon, will also be performing on December 9. A total of 27 bands will be playing at the competition, with slots open for 22 bands from outside Nagaland.

The festival, considered one of the most prestigious and largest in terms of scale in the country, has upped the booty for the winners this year to Rs. 1 million (!), or 10 lakh. The runners-up will earn Rs. 3.5 lakh and the second runners-up stand to make Rs. 2.5 lakh, with five individual prizes of Rs. 30,000 each also up for grabs.

Bands from outside the state can send in their entries by November 10, following which the shortlist of 22 bands would be announced on November 11. Nine bands will get to participate in the Grand Finale, which takes place on December 10. Local bands can head over to the Academy Hall, Kohima, on November 20 for auditions.

While the financial stakes are indeed high, this is not only an opportunity for bands from across the country to earn considerable cash. The Hornbill festival has established itself as one frequented by tens of thousands of ardent fans who genuinely love music, and it is indeed an incredible platform for young bands to reach out to big numbers, spread their music, and gain exposure by playing such a large-scale show, an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

Click here for further details about the festival and the registration process.