A new rehearsal-based video project for African bands starts now, with a public vote, five finalists, a final jury round, and a USD 250 cash prize for the winner.

AFRICA.ROCKS exists to cover African rock and metal on a daily basis. That remains the centre of what we do. At the same time, we also run selected supporter features with bands from other parts of the world. Those paid contributions help us fund practical initiatives connected to the scenes we cover, and Soundcheck is one of them.

Soundcheck is built around something simple: a band in a room, playing one original song. No stage, no crowd, and no need for a polished music video. What matters here is the strength of the song, the tightness of the performance and the band’s own identity.

The project will unfold in two rounds. First, bands from across Africa submit a newly filmed performance video. Once the entries are in and approved, they will be published by AFRICA.ROCKS and opened to a public vote through the website. The five bands with the highest valid vote totals will move on to the final round.

Those five finalists will then return with a second video featuring a different original song. From there, a five-person jury will decide the winner. The winning band will receive USD 250.

Public support will play a real role in shaping the final round, but the winner will still have to earn it through a second performance and a final jury decision.

Full rules, specs, and submission details are now available through AFRICA.ROCKS.