Japan's Largest Band Contest 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026' to be Held Again This Year! ~Announcement of Application Opening~
Key facts
- Japan's Largest Band Contest 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026' to be Held Again This Year! ~Announcement of Application Opening~
- Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has opened applications for the 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026', Japan's largest band contest targeting bands and solo artists aged 40 and over. The contest encourages passionate artists to challenge themselves, regardless of genre or professional status.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 10, 2026
Direct answer
Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has opened applications for the 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026', Japan's largest band contest targeting bands and solo artists aged 40 and over. The contest encourages passionate artists to challenge themselves, regardless of genre or professional status.
- Citation
- Japan's Largest Band Contest 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026' to be Held Again This Year! ~Announcement of Application Opening~ (June 10, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 10, 2026
Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has opened applications for the 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026', Japan's largest band contest targeting bands and solo artists aged 40 and over. The contest encourages passionate artists to challenge themselves, regardless of genre or professional status.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 20:13
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 11:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (53h 30m after Collected)
The 'MIND ROCK AWARD' is a contest open to bands with at least one member aged 40 or over, or solo artists aged 40 or over, regardless of professional or amateur status or music genre. This event, which started in 2023, has seen over 200 bands and artists apply from all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, in its past three iterations, boasting the largest scale of its kind in the country.
We await applications from bands and artists filled with the passion to continue what they love and the spirit to challenge new things – the 'mind-rock' spirit!
1. Schedule
- Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Sunday, August 9, 2026
Application period for bands and artists
- Late August 2026
First screening (document, audio, and video review) *First screening passers will be announced on the official website.
- Monday, September 21, 2026 (Holiday) and Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (Holiday)
Final screening (live performance) and results announcement
Venue: Younger Than Yesterday (Els Building 4F, 2-17 Otaki-cho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Holiday)
'MIND ROCK LIVE 2026'
Venue: YOKOSUKA BAYSIDE POCKET (3-27 Honcho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
The Grand Prix winner of 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026' will perform as the main act!!
2. Application Guidelines
The main application conditions are as follows:
- Bands or artists with at least one member aged 40 or over.
- Ability to participate in the final screening to be held at the live house 'Younger Than Yesterday' in Yokosuka City on September 21 (Mon, Holiday) and 22 (Tue, Holiday).
- Ability to perform at 'MIND ROCK LIVE 2026' to be held at YOKOSUKA BAYSIDE POCKET on November 3 (Tue, Holiday).
For other application details, please visit the official 'MIND ROCK AWARD' website (https://mindrockaward.com/).
3. Entry Method
Please send a recording of your performance of 2 songs (approximately 10 minutes) using one of the following methods:
- Web Entry
Send a URL to a video site such as YouTube where your performance can be viewed.
- Mail Entry
Mail a DVD or CD containing a recording of your performance.
4. Prizes
- Right to perform as the main act at 'MIND ROCK LIVE 2026'
- Appointment as 'Yokosuka Rock 'n' Roll Ambassador'
- Production of a promotional video
- Gift of an original Sukajan jacket
- Other prizes from sponsoring companies
5. Selection and Judging Method
Decisions will be made through deliberation by related organizations (Yokosuka City, Yokosuka Promotion and Appeal Executive Committee, Uchida Yuya Office).
6. Organizer, Cooperation, and Sponsorship
Organizer: Yokosuka City, Yokosuka Promotion and Appeal Executive Committee
Cooperation: Uchida Yuya Office
Sponsorship: FM Yokohama
7. Official HP
https://mindrockaward.com/
FAQ
What are the eligibility requirements for the 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026'?
Bands with at least one member aged 40 or over, or solo artists aged 40 or over, are eligible. Professional or amateur status and music genre are not considered.
What is the schedule for the contest?
The application period is from June 9 to August 9, 2026. The preliminary screening is in late August, the final live judging is on September 21-22, and the results announcement and 'MIND ROCK LIVE 2026' will be held on November 3.
Where will the final judging and live event take place?
The final judging will be held at the live house 'Younger Than Yesterday' in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and the live event 'MIND ROCK LIVE 2026' will be at 'YOKOSUKA BAYSIDE POCKET' in the same city.
What are the prizes for the Grand Prix winner?
The Grand Prix winner will receive the right to perform as the main act at 'MIND ROCK LIVE 2026', be appointed 'Yokosuka Rock 'n' Roll Ambassador', have a promotional video produced, and receive an original Sukajan jacket, among other prizes.
How can I apply?
You can apply by submitting a web entry with a URL to a video site (like YouTube) showing your performance of two songs (approx. 10 minutes), or by mailing a DVD or CD containing your performance.