Mega music festival SUMMER SONIC is about to get even bigger and better. Because two separate festivals (in Tokyo and Osaka) over two days (August 7th and 8th) that feature major artists from Japan and all over the world isn’t enough.

Indie bands will have the chance to take the SUMMER SONIC stage this year. So far, over 1700 bands have joined the contest hosted by E-MEETS and SUMMER SONIC.

Once they sign up online, their SUMMER SONIC dreams are in the hands of others. Users can watch Youtube videos of the artists’ performances and pick their favorites. Once user voting ends on July 13, a panel of judges take charge and who gets an audition and who gets to subsequently appear at SUMMER SONIC in front of thousands. It’s a long road to SUMMER SONIC stardom but a HUGE opportunity.

Getting billed next to names like Jay-Z, The Offspring, Stevie Wonder, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, Taylor Swift, the pillows, the HIATUS, and Sakanaction (サカナクション) is a big deal regardless of taste in music. Check out the full SUMMER SONIC lineup here, there’s too many more to choose from for namedropping.

To vote for YOUR FAVORITE BANDS, 1) watch the videos, 2) visit the artists’ pages you like, 3) enter your email address and check the box to agree to terms of services in the big yellow box to the right, 4) click the big read button and your vote is tallied. Only one vote per artist. VOTE VOTE VOTE now now now!!

Big thanks to @sarita_sy07 for the tip off!