In December, one band will play themselves to an ALTO Pro PA system courtesy of TOMS Sandton and the opportunity of recording at Openroom Studios in Johannesburg with award-winning producer Darryl Torr. Music guru Dave Chislet (author of One Two One Two will also sit down with the winning band, advising them on how they can draw up a concrete musical plan for 2013.

For the first time, bands will also have the opportunity of earning monies from playing in this year's Emerging Sounds Challenge, and every band performing in the Johannesburg leg of the event will also qualify for a 50% discount on one of the following two recording packages at Openroom Studios (both packages include a sound engineer):

• 1 Track (single) - includes three nights in studio, mixing and mastering.
• 4 Track EP - includes six nights in studio, mixing and mastering.

The event is open to all bands irrespective of musical style, as bands are judged on their overall performance on the night by a panel of judges. There is no crowd voting. Each band performing in this event will also receive constructive feedback from the judges after each performance. Bands are judged purely on their performance on the night and not on their style of music.

TOMS Sandton will also supply the backline.

Over the past 15 years, the Emerging Sounds Challenge has created platforms for hundreds of bands including Seether (Saron Gas), The Parlotones, Prime Circle, Freshly Ground, The Blk Jacks, 340ml, Plush, 1^st Project, The Finkelsteins, Pestroy and Taxi Violence to name a few.

Dates:

26 May
2, 3 and 30 June
1, 7 and 29 July
4, 5 and 25 August
1 and 2 September

Semi finals: 29 September, 6 October, 7 October, 13 October

Finals: Saturday, 1 December

Rumours is situated at 20 Palm Court, Cornelius Street, Weltevredenpark.

To book your band for this event or for further information, contact the Squire on 082 770 7524 (after 17:00, Monday to Friday) or emergingsounds@mweb.co.za.