aaamusic | On 22, Jan 2011

HARD ROCK’S WORLDWIDE BATTLE OF THE BANDS
TURNS LOCAL MUSICIANS INTO INTERNATIONAL ROCK STARS

Battle Winners to Perform Onstage at Hard Rock Calling 2011

London, 20 January 2011 – Do you have what it takes to become rock royalty? Hard Rock International thinks so! In honor of the brand’s 40th Anniversary, Hard Rock is giving local bands across the globe the opportunity to take the big stage and perform live at Hard Rock Calling 2011 in London – one of the world’s most-anticipated concert events. With thousands of fans and top headliners, including Bon Jovi, Hard Rock Calling 2011 is the chance of a lifetime for emerging artists to gain exposure and showcase their talent in front of todayAdd an event for today’s most iconic rock stars.

Hello Hyde Park, It’s Great to Be Here . . .
Select Hard Rock Cafe locations across the world will host a series of competitions where local bands can compete for the chance to perform onstage at Hard Rock Calling 2011 in London’s Hyde Park.  A panel of acclaimed industry experts, including Little Steven Van Zandt of the legendary E Street Band, Pete Wentz of hit rock group Fall Out Boy, Live Nation Vice President of Promotions Toby Leighton-Pope, Hard Rock International Chief Marketing Officer John Galloway and Absolute Radio Director of Marketing Clare Baker, will help narrow down the choices from across the globe.  The top bands will then be posted on http://www.hardrock.com/, and put their fate in the hands of rock fans worldwide who will vote on their favorites.

Four finalists will be flown to London, treated like rock stars and given a spot on the bill at Hard Rock Calling 2011 in London’s Hyde Park; but only one band will open for one of the festival’s iconic headliners on the Main Stage! The band that receives the most votes will take the Main Stage at Hard Rock Calling, with the runners-up rockin’ out on the Second Stage.  (Visit http://www.hardrock.com/ for complete program rules.)

“Hard Rock’s Battle of the Bands literally gives up-and-coming bands an international stage to show their stuff,” said Little Steven Van Zandt, judge of Hard Rock’s Battle of the Bands. “I had the opportunity to perform at Hard Rock Calling in 2009 and the energy was amazing! Even as a rock veteran l was blown away!”

Visit http://www.hardrock.com for details on event dates and times, and go to any participating Hard Rock to watch your favorite local bands battle for the opportunity of a lifetime!

Hard Rock Calling 2011
Hard Rock Calling, the three-day musical celebration being held on from Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26, with more than a dozen top bands performing each day on two stages, has established itself as one of the most important London events on the UK musical calendar over the last five years. Past acts have included Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, The Killers and The Police, who created what is now identified as the “must see” concert event on the UK festival circuit. Additional artists for the 2011 line-up will be announced leading up to the event and tickets for the festival are available at http://www.hardrockcalling.com .