From the Rehearsal Room to the Festival Stage – The Newcomers of Our Band Contests
At Thomann, we don’t just want to supply you with the instruments for your musical dreams – we also want to give you the stage where you can make them come true. Together with our fantastic partners, we were able to offer two very special opportunities: an exclusive slot at the Sparda-Bank Blues and Jazz Festival in Bamberg and a performance at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Numerous young talents seized this opportunity to share their music with us and the world. The response was overwhelming, with countless submissions, an impressively high level of musical talent, and incredible passion.
The decision was anything but easy for the juries, as everyone impressed with their creativity, energy, and musicality.
Bamberger Blues & Jazz Festival with Lia J
This year, the Blues and Jazz Festival in Bamberg was once again a major crowd-pleaser: ten days of music with over 50 acts and right in the middle of it all was our winning band from the newcomer contest: Lia J on the Böhmerwiese stage.
Together with Stadtmarketing Bamberg and Backstage PRO, we gave young musicians the chance to present themselves on a big stage. The application period ran from June 3rd to 22nd, and the response was overwhelming. In addition to a festival performance, the winning band received an overnight stay in Bamberg for all band members, a fee of €1,000 from Stadtmarketing Bamberg, and a €500 voucher from Thomann.
The winner was the five-piece band Lia J from Cologne, with their unique mix of Alternative R&B and Latin vibes. On Friday, August 1st, 2025, the band played their set from 5 PM to 7 PM on the Böhmerwiese stage in brilliant sunshine and a relaxed festival atmosphere. They won over the audience with honest, emotional, and danceable songs about the chaotic feeling of life in your mid-twenties. Lead singer Julia Hornschuh impressed with her expressive voice and natural stage presence. With confidence and feeling, she conveyed the songs’ content in an authentic, relatable, and powerful way.
Montreux Jazz Festival with TILAR
Shortly before, though about 600 km away, the Montreux Jazz Festival took place. Performing at the legendary Swiss festival alongside global stars like Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Santana, Alanis Morissette, and Raye – for the band TILAR, this dream became a reality. Together with Shure and the organizers of the Montreux Jazz Festival, we were able to award an exclusive slot on the Super Bock Stage.
The application phase ran from May 12th to 25th, followed by a community voting round that garnered thousands of votes. The three most popular acts advanced to the jury vote, which was composed of high-profile judges: Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy), Julia Hofer (Bass queen, Thomann), Arthur Dubois (Musician & Content Creator), Jack Drury (Shure A&R), and Anna Cazzaniga and Pauline Louis from the Montreux booking team decided on the final winning act.
The prize in Montreux was impressive: a performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival, an artist fee of €3,000, Shure equipment worth €7,000, as well as travel and accommodation. But the second and third-place acts didn’t go away empty-handed either – they each received Shure equipment worth €5,000 and €3,000, respectively.In the end, TILAR won over both the jury and the audience. On July 14th, 2025, as darkness fell, they finally stood live on stage in Montreux – as part of a festival that has been making music history for decades. The young band brought a breath of fresh air to the funk and dance scene, transporting the international audience into a dazzling parallel universe with their glittering outfits and an energetic performance. Their debut album, Over The Moon, which brought them attention in 2022, was just the beginning – TILAR is now in the process of firmly establishing themselves in the scene.
We Spread Music
From Bamberg to Montreux, local to international. For us at Thomann, supporting music means more than just providing equipment: we want to create platforms and help young musicians take the next step.
Our contests provide a space for new voices, fresh ideas, and bold performances. In collaboration with Shure, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Backstage PRO, and Stadtmarketing Bamberg, we look forward to opening the door to the stage for young acts again in the future. We are convinced that this year’s winning acts will have much more to offer, and we are proud to be part of their journey.
And the best part: we’ll be back in 2026. Are you ready for the big stage?