Hard Rock Café launches global battle of the bands contest

The US brand has launched a global battle of the bands
competition in a tie-up with online music service ReverbNation, with a prize of
a spot at the Hard Rock Calling festival in Hyde Park in July.

To apply, bands must upload their tracks online at www.facebook.com/hardrockcafebeirut
before Jan 17. Fans will then vote for their favourite band, with the most
popular moving on to a life performance.

Fans worldwide will then again narrow these local winners
down to a top ten and a panel of celebrity judges and music industry insiders
will select the final three winners.

The band in first place winner will be flown to London and
will appear on the bill at the  Hard Rock Calling 2012 concert in July.
Second and third prize winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500 and marketing
support from ReverbNation.

Some 86 Hard Rock Cafés around the world are participating,
including the Beirut branch of the popular chain.

“Hard Rock believes it is critical to support emerging
artists and discover new musical talent through the Hard Rock Rising
program,” said John Galloway, vice president and chief marketing officer
for Hard Rock International.

Privately-held Hard Rock launched its new restaurant in
Dubai’s Festival City in November, after more than a year of delays.

The new outlet replaced the original Hard Rock Café on the
emirate’s Sheikh Zayed Road, which was forced to close after 11 years of
operation following the sale of the site.

Franchisee Hard Rock Middle East, which operates six outlets
in the region, plans up to five more cafes in the next three years, and to
upgrade its existing assets.

It is likely to hire at least 250 new staff for the
expansion.