• Musician and Bollywood actor Luke Kenny to judge the largest South Asian Singing Talent Hunt in the Middle East this October

Dubai, October 8, 2015: The hunt for the next generation of snazzy, stylish and creative Live performers is on! MTV India announces the auditions of the ‘Next Big Thing’, a distinctive concept that will bring local bands and singers from across the Middle East on one platform. Twelve of the finalists’ will be invited for Live auditions at The Music Room on 17th October 2015 after weeks of trial and will be adjudged by actor, musician and man of many talents, Luke Kenny. Grand prize includes an opportunity to have their original music track and video produced by MTV India. The same will be aired across MTV India and International beams. 

The participation criteria requires an individual to be of 21 years of age and a GCC resident. The participating band can have a minimum of one and maximum of five members. The music criteria for selection will be predominantly South Asian music styles including Desi Rock, Sufi, and Bollywood. Western music sets will also be accepted, however, the contestants must have one original track and South Asian genre sets that need to be played during the auditions. Entries for MTV India ‘Next Big Thing’ are currently open and shortlisted bands will be invited for live auditions on 17th October 2015.  

Said Sachin Gokhale, Business Head – Middle East & Africa, IndiaCast, “At MTV India, we have a history of working with some of the top notch musicians, singers and songwriters from all over South Asia. With MTV India ‘Next Big Thing’, our aim is to create a big platform for aspiring South Asian artists from this region in helping them realize their desire to make a career in the music industry.  MTV India Next Big Thing is a great platform for local artists and music bands to get a head start in the industry and create sustainable music careers and we couldn’t ask for a more talented judge and mentor than Luke Kenny. It is also our way of further building a deeper engagement with the local South Asian community.”

Apart from being a great dais for aspiring musicians, MTV India ‘Next Big Thing’ events are also a novel opportunity for music lovers of this region to network and witness the surge of fresh local talent.  In addition to the Grand prize, the second place band members would receive an all-expense paid trip to an International MTV Music Event and the third place would be awarded AED 10,000 worth voucher towards musical instruments from Techniline. 

Said Musician-Producer-Actor, Luke Kenny. “Music has always been around me. My grandfather was a Jazz drummer and my father had a band in his time. I have been performing live since I was in college and was part of a band called ‘Greek’. Then it was a struggle to get through audiences who appreciated original music.” 

Thrilled on being the judge at MTV India ‘Next Big Thing’ he added, “Next Big Thing is an incredible opportunity to showcase your music and to reach out to audiences internationally. I have heard so much about the raw unexplored talent that exists in the region. I am looking forward to meeting and guiding these upcoming musicians.”

Starting 7th November, for three consecutive Saturdays these twelve bands will compete with each other while playing in front of a live audience at The Music Room in Dubai. Four bands will be performing live every week and judging will take place across a series of events. The Grand finale is set to take place on 28th November 2015 where Luke Kenny will perform Live for the audience followed by the announcement of the winners.

Selections will be based on forms submitted along with music video clips to mtvindianbt@gmail.com before 14th October 2015. For further details on the auditions, contact 04 3451165 / 056 7397041.