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Livewire finally reaches NE

By Aiyushman Dutta |


The East Zone eliminations for Livewire Mood Indigo, the annual rock fest of IIT Bombay, will be held at Gangtok on November 30 next. A number of bands from the Northeast have applied for registration in the regional auditions, says head coordinator Yogesh Kumbhejkar. Interested bands from the Northeast can apply for the competition by sending their band profile and demos to livewire@moodi.org or call at +91-9619436493 or +91-9860663515.


The highlight of this year’s Livewire is the headlining performance by Swedish Metal Giants KATATONIA and legendary Indian rock band INDUS CREED. While Katatonia is likely to be a huge draw for the metal lovers, Indus Creed, for the uninitiated, is the biggest rock band of the 90s that rode on a new wave of popularity, thanks to the MTV craze amongst the youth in those days. The band is back, with new melodies, new lyrics and a totally new line-up. The event is scheduled on December 21 next.


We have really great incentives for participants this year, says Yogesh. The goodies include a cash prize of worth Rs 70,000 for the winners, a Kramer guitar worth Rs. 70,000 for the Best Guitarist, Furtados vouchers worth Rs 1,10,000 for the winning bands and individual winners, amongst other goodies. Besides, the top 3 bands will open for swedish metal giants KATATONIA and legendary rock band INDUS CREED. This apart, the winners will avail of a contract to record an EP of 4 songs at the Four Zone Music studio.


Livewire Mood Indigo is IIT Bombay's annual college cultural festival. Livewire is the country’s top rock band competition which is being organized as part of Mood Indigo for last 30 years. Livewire has been the launchpad for India's top rock bands like Parikrama, Zero, Vayu, Pentagram, amongst others. Last year over 200 bands from all over the country registered for livewire. Till now, Livewire eliminations were conducted in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangaluru; twelve bands were chosen for participation in eliminations at each venue. Out of which 5 bands were chosen from each city for the semifinals held in IIT Bombay. This is the first time that auditions are being held in the Northeast.


Talking about the Northeast leg of auditions, he said, “Over the years, the participation of North-eastern bands in our fest has not been as overwhelming as has been the case in other parts of the country. The main reason for that being the long distance. Considering the strong rock/metal culture in all the north-eastern states, we felt it is essential for a national rock band competition to have participation from all the North Eastern States.”


“We feel the auditions will be a great opportunity for the bands from Northeast India to showcase their great talent on a national platform,” opines the organizer, even as he urged the local bands to come forward for the auditions.


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Aiyushman Dutta's picture

Journalist and Founder Secretary, Eastern Beats Music Society.

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