Nagaland’s Fifth Note win ‘Ticket to Hornbill’ band battle

KOHIMA — Fifth Note from Nagaland won the ‘Ticket to Hornbill – India’s Biggest Band Battle 2024, the grand finale which was held at RCEMPA, Jotsoma, on Monday (Oct. 21) night.

The Nagaland band won prize money of INR 20 lakh.

The Prophets were placed first runners-up while Project Anonymous were declared second runners-up, and received INR 10 lakh and INR 5 lakh, respectively.

Also read: INR 40 lakh prize money up for grabs at ‘Ticket to Hornbill’

The top three winners also received Sennheiser microphones and in-ear ear monitors.

Individual awards

• Best Bassist – Paper Sky

• Best Keyboardist – Yugen

• Best Guitarist – The Prophets

• Best Drummer – Papersky

• Best Vocalist – Project Anonymous

• Sennheiser Choice Award – Kapow

Earlier, Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, the special guest for the event, in his speech, enphasised the need for Nagas to resonate together and overcome all differences.

The minister stressed on the need to make Nagaland one of the music capitals of the world and suggested for organising world-class monthly concerts in Kohima.

Announcing that the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival is round the bend, he requested the people of the state to exhibit good hospitality to the guests and visitors.

Along asserted that the Hornbill Festival is not only to make merry but also to “resonate unity and live as Nagas of Nagaland.”

Advisor to the chief minister and chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha, the guest of honour, shared the overwhelming response and entries that the Ticket to Hornbill received.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by chairman of Task for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Theja Meru and the programme was led by project director TaFMA, Dr. Hovithal Sothu.

It may be mentioned that the live performance rounds of the Ticket to Hornbill took place on Oct.18 and the 19th, where 30 shortlisted bands competed and seven got selected. Three more bands got wild card entry to contest for the grand finale.

The finalists were Kapow, The Featherheads, Yugen, Salt Rock, One Girl Shy, Fifth Note, Project Anonymous, Paper Sky, The Prophet and Hidden Identity.