HCM CITY(VNS)— Hard Rock Cafe is searching for rising rock stars to perform at the first Hard Rock Live Rome in July, and a global contest will identify them.

Hard Rock, in partnership with online musician community ReverbNation, is registering bands wishing to participate in the Hard Rock Rising global programme that started on January 6 and will go on until the 28th.

The winning band will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Rome, Italy, to perform at the event on July 12 at the Piazza del Popolo.

Two runners-up will each receive music equipment and gear valued at US$10,000.

"Over the past two years, more than 24,000 artists entered to compete in Hard Rock Rising where more than one million songs from these up and coming artists were downloaded by fans," said John Galloway, deputy president and chief marketing officer of Hard Rock International.

Bands in HCM City can register at https://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafevietnam. — VNS