MUMBAI: 70-year old German audio brand Sennheiser has announced the second edition of Sennheiser Top 50 - a battle of Indian bands from whom the top 50 best bands will be selected.

Sennheiser Top 50 is the ideal platform for several Indian bands to showcase their talent and build a position in the cut-throat and emergent music industry. The registration period for the battle of bands is from 20 June 2016 to 10 July 2016.

In the first edition of Sennheiser Top 50, over 300 bands across all the genres - pop, rock, fusion, classic, metal, jazz and blues participated. The top three bands - ‘The Local Train‘, Shadow and Light‘ and ‘Purple Fusion‘ won the prestigious Sennheiser evolution wireless D1 microphone sets.

“We are excited to be a part of this innovative hunt for India’s best bands for the second time in a row! It is a great platform for budding musicians to not just showcase their talent but also start their journey to become the next big thing in the music industry. Sennheiser is doing a great job by helping the music industry in discovering unique talents. We are expecting diverse talent across genres and can’t wait to start this journey,” says composer trio, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy.

“Last season, I had the chance of interacting with a few of these bands. The experience was enriching, and this year I am expecting a lot more since Sennheiser has raised the bars,” added noted recording engineer and music producer of Flying Carpet Productions, Ashish Manchanda.

Sennheiser is raising the stakes this year with an irresistible jury, prizes that will make a musician’s heart skip a beat and taking the finale on ground. This year the jury constitutes of the stalwarts of the music industry - Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Raghu Dixit, Papon and Ashish Manchanda. The winning band will take home a Trophy, evolution wireless 500 G3 vocal microphones and HD 280 Pro for the band, two years endorsement contract with Sennheiser which will give them access to Sennheiser gear, chance to perform at an celebrated music festival and be the face of Sennheiser for the next two years across catalogues & brandings. The second rank holder and third rank holder band will take home trophies, hampers from Sennheiser, recording session with Ashish Manchanda (Flying Carpet Productions) and a mentoring session with a Sennheiser endorsee in that order. The second edition will create a stir with an on ground finale where the Top five bands will battle it out to be number one.

Internationally reputed singer-songwriter, Raghu Dixit said, “I find the concept very exciting, unique and interesting! It’s great to see how a brand is putting efforts into discovering hidden talent across the country. I believe that India has a plethora of talent that needs to be nurtured and Sennheiser Top 50 is the right platform for it. I am hopeful that bands will recognize the potential that lies in this platform and start their journey to the top.”

Singer and composer, Papon, expressed his excitement saying, “I believe that Sennheiser is a brand that has always focused on revolutionising the music industry and its quest to give the country musicians who could become the stars of tomorrow is something I really appreciate.”