13 bands to battle it out at Haflong rock competition

Haflong, Sept 25: The Amphitheatre at Haflong Lake will reverberate with rock music on Sunday as 13 finalist bands from across the Northeast and other parts of the country compete in “Mosh Pit: The Last Band Standing”, an all-India rock band competition organised by Harmonic Society.

The competition, scheduled to begin at 3 pm on September 27, is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture and the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council. Entry tickets have been priced at Rs 100.

The event carries a total prize pool of Rs 3 lakh, besides individual awards for the best guitarist, vocalist, bassist and drummer.

According to Harmonic Society member Punush Lanthasa, 23 bands from different parts of India had registered for the competition, from which 13 finalists were selected. Some bands from Noida and other places had to withdraw due to travel-related difficulties.

The participating bands are Armored and The Fallen Anthem from Diphu; Metslave, Abstract, Vaunted Exorcist and The Mosquito from Haflong; Eyes of the Martyr from Guwahati; Earthiest, Sword Tune and Midnight in Winter from Mizoram; dormant from Arunachal Pradesh; Seventh Serenade from Meghalaya; and Renegade from Pune, Maharashtra.

Organisers said bands from Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh are participating in a rock competition in Dima Hasao for the first time.

Sound checks will be conducted from 8 am to 9 am, while the main competition will begin at 3 pm.

Lanthasa appealed to rock music enthusiasts and music lovers to attend the event and support the region's growing rock music scene.

The open-air venue beside Haflong Lake is expected to provide a vibrant setting for the competition, which the organisers hope will create greater opportunities for emerging bands and strengthen the region's rock music community.