Reverse Tragedy, from Mizoram, struck the right notes to walk away as the winner of the prestigious Hornbill International Rock Contest.
The band beat nine groups to become the winner at the grand finale last night at Hockey Ground, IG Stadium, Kohima as part of the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.
The finale was attended by Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang.
The winner received cash award of Rs 10 lakh. The winning band will also be offered a free band exam by Trinity College of London, the resource partner for the contest.
October from Delhi was adjudged second while Grey Shack from Chennai bagged the third place. They both received a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh respectively.
The band with the best song went to Run Pussy Run, from Pune, while Fame, the band from Meghalaya, was declared as the one with the best potential. The best Nagaland band was bagged by Tune Up Channels.
The best guitarist honour went to Bishal Gurung, Reverse Tragedy. October’s Sherry Mathews won the best vocalist award.
The best bassist award was given to Sayar Mitra, The Buddha Therapy, Kolkata, while Thupden Bhutia, of band Crystal and the Witches from Sikkim, won the best drummer trophy.
Best Keyboardist honour went to Pritam Boro, 2 Square, Assam.
Despite the biting cold, thousands of music fans and tourists witnessed the rock contestlate into the night.