NOVO from Assam won Ticket to Hornbill 2025, earning a cash prize and a performance slot at the 26th Hornbill Music Festival.
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DIMAPUR — NOVO from Assam won the 2025 edition of Ticket to Hornbill, India’s Biggest Band Battle, after the grand finale held at RCEMPA, Jotsoma on October 18.
Juxtaposed from Bengaluru finished as 1st runner-up, while Akhanda from Sikkim claimed 2nd runner-up. The winners received cash prizes of INR 20 lakh, INR 10 lakh, and INR 5 lakh respectively.
All three have also earned the opportunity to perform at the 26th Hornbill Music Festival in December.
The competition recognised individual performances with awards for Best Keyboardist (Akhanda, Sikkim), Best Drummer (NOVO, Assam), Best Bassist (Juxtaposed, Bengaluru), Best Guitarist (Akhanda, Sikkim), and Best Vocalist (Stereo Groove, Nagaland).
Also read: Ticket to Hornbill grand finale today at RCEMPA
Choice Awards from leading music brands were also announced: Sennheiser Choice Award went to Thunder’s Cave (Meghalaya), while Ibanez Choice Awards were presented to SoHumble (Delhi) and Mood Station (Mizoram).
The event was organised by the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), Government of Nagaland, and presented by Bhikharam Chandmal—North East. Judges for the finale included Mrinmoyee Goswami, Booma, Obed Kath, and Subir Malik, while live auditions were judged by Wati Imchen, Akhito Kinimi, Mhademo Ennio, and Obed Kath.
The competition aimed to provide a platform for emerging artists and promote Nagaland as a hub for music and creative arts in the region.