Originally started as Band Alert in 1998 by Yamaha, Asian Beat has provided a platform for amateur bands in Asia to perform and show off their talents for the past 15 years. Each year, Beat Contest is held in each participating country and region to select the qualifying bands, and each finalist can then proceed to the Grand Final, where the finalists will perform once again to compete to be the top amateur band in Asia.

This year, the Beat Contest will be held on August 9-10 at the Tom Lee Academy Hall. The Champion will receive a Yamaha gift certificate of $5,000, Zildjian gift certificate of $2,000, and a trophy, as well as airfares and lodging to represent Hong Kong at the Asian Beat 2012 Grand Final to be held in Singapore on November 11. Prizes also be awarded to the first runner-up and second runner-up, and five individual awards are available for the best vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboardist.

Visit the Tom Lee Music Hong Kong website for more information.