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A band performs at the Hornbill International Rock Contest at Agri Expo, Dimapur, Nagaland on Tuesday, December 5 2017. EM Images/ Caisü Mao[/caption]
The much awaited Hornbill International Rock Contest 2017 finally commenced at the Agri Expo grounds on Dec 5 with seven bands out of the 23 that were selected from across the country, belted out covers and originals to vie for the grand prize of INR 10 lac.
The HIRC is one of the most integral part of the Hornbill Festival, and even though the sudden change in venue (from Kohima to Dimapur) was thought to be a bold and risky move by many, the HIRC opening did not seem to disappoint the crowd.
The line up’s for the first day of the preliminary rounds were: Perfect Stick Figure Illustrations (Gangtok), Radio City (Kohima), Seed of Changes (Bengaluru), Radical Change (Mirik, Darjeeling), Avora Records (Aizawl), Trivial (Guwahati), and The Great Decade (Mokokchung).
Panel of judges for the competition are Soumini Sridhara Paul, Vice President, Artist Aloud (Hungama Media Pvt. Ltd), Uday Benegal, frontman of Indus Creed and Mhaseve Tetseo (Tetseo Sisters, Rattle and Hum Band and Gear Men Dudes). The judges will be tight lipped about their decision as to which bands have advanced to the finals and the list will only be declared on Dec 7.
During the finals on Dec 8, spectators will witness nine bands fighting for the crown of this year’s HIRC.
The headlining act for the final competition on 8 will be last year’s winner, SNF. This year the first runners up and second runners up will win INR 5 lacs and INR 3.5 lacs respectively.
Eastern Mirror Desk