Kohima: Nagaland’s Fifth Note emerged victorious in the grand finale of the ‘Ticket to Hornbill—India’s Biggest Band Battle — held at the RCEMPA grounds, Jotsoma in Nagaland‘s Kohima on Monday.
The band secured the top prize of Rs 20 lakh.
The Prophets and Project Anonymous clinched the first and second runner-up positions respectively, winning prize money of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.
All three winning bands were also awarded Sennheiser microphones and in-ear ear monitors.
‘Ticket to Hornbill’ was a prelude to the 25th edition of the renowned Hornbill Music Festival.
The prize was jointly awarded by Nagaland Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along and Adviser to the Nagaland Chief Minister Abu Metha during the grand finale.
Individual awards were also presented to the standout performers. Paper Sky was recognized as the Best Bassist, while Yugen earned the title of Best Keyboardist. The Prophets were awarded for Best Guitarist, and Paper Sky also received the Best Drummer award. Project Anonymous was named Best Vocalist, and Kapow took home the Sennheiser Choice Award.
Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along stressed the need to make Nagaland one of the music capitals of the world and suggested for organizing world-class monthly concerts in Kohima.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by the Chairman of Task for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Theja Meru, and the programme was led by the project director of TaFMA, Dr. Hovithal Sothu.
As the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival approaches, he urged the people of the state to welcome guests and visitors with warmth and hospitality.
Notably, the live performance rounds of the Ticket to Hornbill took place on October 18 and 19, where 30 shortlisted bands competed and seven got selected. Three more bands got wild card entry to contest for the grand finale.
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The finalists were Kapow, The Featherheads, Yugen, Salt Rock, One Girl Shy, Fifth Note, Project Anonymous, Paper Sky, The Prophet, and Hidden Identity.
