MUMBAI: As one of India's coveted rock competitions -  â€?The Independence Rock' - prepares to enter its twenty fourth year starting 2 September in Bangalore, it will sadly be a low point for the competition as far as sponsorships go.

There is a complete slowdown in the industry, so sponsors are re-examining where they put money,... says I-Rock Founder and E-18 CEO Farhad Wadia. The sponsorship cut has been as high as 70 per cent this year, revealed Wadia.

Though we are touring every city, we are not doing open air shows in every city because that costs a fortune,... said Wadia. There have been no major changes, and competition is likely to progress as usual through its various legs in Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune and Mumbai. However, the ticket prices have been increased by Rs 30 – but that's not really going to bring me a fortune,... adds Wadia 

Having said that, we are doing it the way we always do it, and we are doing it in Mumbai the way we always do it – so it ends with the big bands,... he added. The finale is scheduled for October 4 at Chitrakoot Grounds where pro bands like Motherjane, Soulmate, Bhayanak Maut, Silver, Demonic Resurrection will take the stage. The gratification for the winning bands remains the same as last year 

Compared to last year's I-rock list of sponsors, which included brands like Airtel, Compaq and Lee Cooper, this year it's beverage company Appy Fizz and Grappy Fizz which have come over as title sponsors.

Schedule I-Rock 2009 (Dates- Venue- Bands)

Bangalore

September 2 – Opus – Pralayh, Ek, Inner Sanctum & Audio File

September 3 - B Flat – Public Issue, Eccentric Pendulum, Theorised & Crimson Wood

September 4 - B Flat – Winners of Bangalore Pub Round

Kolkata

September 9 – La Dolce Vita – Safire, Gravy Theory, Kaivalya & The Cynical Recess

September 10 – La Dolce Vita – Diatribe, Divine Connection, Beyond Dharma & Dark Horizon

September 11 – La Dolce Vita – Winners of Kolkata Pub Round

Pune

September 16 – Venue TBD – Workshop, Tripwire, Pitch Black Symphony & Prosody

September 17 – Venue TBD – Khiladi, Radar, Shor Bazaar & Abraxas

September 18 – Venue TBD – Winners of Pune Pub Round

Delhi

September 23 – Caf?© Morrison – Lavender Carnege, Fire Exit, Other Life Experience & The Airborne

September 24 – Attitude – Under Siege, Seize Her, FIVE8 & Anus the Menace

September 25 – Attitude – Winners of Delhi Pub Round

Mumbai

September 30 – Venue TBD – Zygnema, Safar, Human Abstract & Joy and The Ice Creams

October 1 – Venue TBD – Rosemary, Summerpint Junkie, Depth & Echoes

October 3 – Chitrakoot Grounds – Winners of Mumbai Pub Round

October 4 – Chitrakoot Grounds – Motherjane, Soulmate, Bhayanak Maut, Silver, Demonic Resurrection