Japan's Largest Band Contest 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026' to be Held Again This Year! ~Announcement of Application Opening~

Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture (Mayor: Katsuaki Kaminaga), will begin accepting applications for the 'MIND ROCK AWARD 2026' starting June 9th (Rock Day).

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/