Inviting original music and videos from artists around the world, Global Rockstar aims to help provide up-and-coming acts recording and live sound equipment. As the world’s largest online music contest, it has recruited AKG to provide mics and wireless systems to the top three fan-voted winners.

‘Global Rockstar is one of the world’s most powerful and far-reaching programmes to encourage the growth of an up-and-coming generation of musicians,’ says AKG Artist & Key Customer Relations, Walter Rührig. ‘We are honored to award the top three contestants with the very best live sound and recording gear AKG offers to help further their performance and sonic capabilities. Last year’s contest proved to be the best yet, and we are excited to continue our partnership with Global Rockstar in 2014.’

The upload phase of Global Rockstar 2014 is now open to the submissions of original songs from independent musicians until 30 September 2014. The 2014 grand prizewinner will receive US$25,000 as well as mics and headphones from AKG.

Since its inception in 2012, Global Rockstar has extended its appeal to musicians around the world. Last year’s event saw 73 preliminary winners from countries on every continent advance to the global finals, and then compete for the title of Global Rockstar of the Year, as well as the grand prize of $10,000 and a package of professional equipment from AKG.

‘Our goal is to garner international visibility for emerging artists around the world,’ says Global Rockstar co-founder, Christof Straub. ‘AKG has been a wonderful supporter and partner in our efforts to create a global community dedicated to the promotion and growth of aspiring musicians.’

The 2013 grand-prize winner, Portuguese rock band Kandia, won AKG IVM4500 in-ear monitors, a C214 large-diaphragm condenser mic, C451 small-diaphragm condenser microphone, four D40 instrument mics, a D12 VR kick drum mic and two D7 handheld vocal mics. The second and third placed acts were presented with AKG studio packages of mics and headphones.