Lake and Bedem Fest join forces and are looking for the best young bands

Lake Fest and Bedem Fest, with the support of the Organization for the Protection of Music Authors' Rights of Montenegro - PAM CG and in cooperation with the Nikšić Tourist Organization, the Nikšić 2030 Initiative Office, Trebjesa Brewery and Radio Television Nikšić, are for the first time jointly organizing a competition for young author bands called "As a young person, I need a chance now".

This competition was first organized last year by Bedem Fest in cooperation with the Youth Resource Center from Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), as part of the "We can do it together" project.

"The aim of the competition is to contribute to the development of the young domestic alternative and rock scene, which is unfortunately slowly lagging behind and disappearing due to the onslaught of modern trends in the music industry. The competition is focused on the affirmation of young alternative and rock authors from Montenegro as well as on strengthening the capacities of the alternative cultural sector and will take place in three phases," the joint statement reads.

In the first phase, which starts today, young original bands will be able to apply for participation within 15 days by sending a short biography of the band to the email toniksic@t-com.me.

The deadline for band registration is May 20th at midnight.

After the first phase, the organizers will announce the list of registered bands on May 22nd and six bands will be selected through online voting. Voting will last until midnight on May 31st, and the six bands with the most online votes will advance to the superfinal.

In the final, third phase of the competition, the super-finalist bands will compete over two evenings by playing live at the NK pub in Nikšić.

"On Wednesday, June 11, a three-member jury and the audience will announce the winner of the first night from three competing bands who will perform at this year's Lake Fest, while on Thursday, June 12, the band - the winner of the second night who will perform at Bedem Fest will be announced according to the same principle. We want to activate and revitalize rock culture and alternative cultural spaces while also promoting Nikšić's candidacy for UNESCO City of Music, contributing to the international visibility of Nikšić, immediately before the decision on the title of European Capital of Culture 2030. It is the right moment for the connected stages of Lake Fest and Bedem Fest to give way to the unestablished young Montenegrin rock scene, which, unfortunately, is slowly disappearing. United in the mission to preserve the multi-generational tradition and heritage of rock and roll in Montenegro and the city under Trebjes, we contribute to the affirmation and promotion of young authors who, through the competition and concerts at Lake Fest and Bedem Fest, we encourage them to create and work," the press release reads.

As they point out, performances at Lake Fest and Bedem Fest will represent extremely important steps for young bands in the further development of their careers. Media support for the project will be provided by Radio-Television Nikšić, which will enable the superfinalist bands to present their creativity to a wider audience through six shows, playing live.