Radio City Launches Hunt For India's Best Hindi Band

New Delhi : After reality shows on television like Sa Re Gama Pa on Zee, Voice of India on Star Plus and K for Kishore on Sony, the omnipresent love for Hindi music among Indians is set to be manifest in another musical talent hunt -- this time on Radio.

However, instead of scouting for individual talented singers, 'RC Live,' the new singing talent hunt organised by the Radio City 91.1 FM, will be looking for a "band of singers" who can set the stage afire with their passion for Hindi music.

The month-long talent hunt, aimed at identifying and creating a truly world class Hindi band, kicked off this week with an evening of music and revelry and a live wire performance by Euphoria.

Spanning the nation through three regional hubs - Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, 'RC Live' will conclude with a mega concert in the National finale in Delhi on February 29.

Judging the shortlisted bands to zero in on the Best Hindi Band in India will be a panel comprising Palash Sen of Euphoria, Subir Malik of Parikrama and the Manager A and R, EMI Vibhav Rao.

The winner of 'RC Live' bags an album release contract with EMI and will be actively promoted both by the Radio City and EMI throughout the year. Also in the offing is a CD compilation titled, 'The Best of RC Live' to be launched by EMI later this year.

Speaking on the launch of the talent hunt, National Head of Marketing at Radio City, Rana Barua said the talent hunt was aimed at filling the lacunae in the Indian Music scene of a good Hindi band in the country.

"For the last one year or so there has been a complete change in the music scene in India. However, while there have been several shows looking at individual talent in singing, no one has mooted the idea of launching a hunt for a Hindi band. Through 'RC Live,' we are endeavouring to fill this lacunae," Barua said.

Speaking on the occasion, Subir Malik of Parikrama said, "As the first ever initiative to select India's first Hindi band, 'RC Live' needs to be lauded. This is because the future of rock in India lies in Hindi." Added Vibhav Rao of EMI, "It is a wonderful initiative in that a Hindi band will be the perfect way to spread the melody of Indian music and aroma of our culture the world over." Welcoming the initiative, Palash Sen of Euphoria said, "We at Euphoria have been around for almost 10 years and are among the only commercially successful Hindi bands today. The onus lies more on us, industry people to find a successor and we are only too happy that Radio City has come forward with this concept.

'RC Live' is like a whiff of fresh air for all those talented Hindi bands who have been waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves. I am looking forward to coming across Hindi bands with some extraordinary original compositions, excellent chemistry and audience appeal taking on the currently empty space."