CBS's 'Grammy Gig of a Lifetime' contest announces 40 finalists

Public vote now open to determine which band will perform live during the "Grammy Gig of a Lifetime" concert on Jan. 23

CBS Interactive today announced the public has just days left to vote on the finalists for the third-annual "Grammy Gig of a Lifetime" contest presented by Microsoft Surface, the official tablet partner of The 56^th Annual Grammy Awards. The public can vote at www.CBS.com/GRAMMYGig to determine which band will win the chance to participate in Grammy Week events, culminating in a live performance as the opening act for the "Grammy Gig of a Lifetime" concert featuring 2013's breakout band, The Neighbourhood.

The finalists were determined by a panel that included top musical talent from different genres - chart-topping rockers Fall Out Boy, MTV VMA "Artist to Watch" winner Austin Mahone and BRIT "Critics Choice" award winner Emeli Sandé. The winning band will be announced Jan. 17 and flown out to Los Angeles to participate in Grammy Week events later that month leading up to a live performance as the opening act for Los Angeles-based alt-rock quintet The Neighbourhood at Club Nokia in Los Angeles Thursday, Jan. 23.

The public vote is open now through Jan. 10, and the finalists include:

·And By Love

·Aria

·Barrett Baber

·Bean

·Briar Rabbit

·Charlie Patton's War

·Devin K

·Fairview

·Fame or Juliet

·For The Foxes

·Gone By Sunset

·Hunter Wolfe and ARE

·Katie Ekin

·Katie Perkins

·Life Down Here

·Lovebettie

·Maragold

·Masha

·Matt Bacnis Band

·Medic

·New Alliance

·NGHBRS

·No Dice

·Paris Ray

·Prince Muziq aka Mista Muziq

·Quincy Vidal

·Richard Arriaga

·Round 2 Crew

·Shel

·Shiffley

·Steve Moakler

·Team

·The Big Time

·The Hart Strings

·The Rare Occasions

·The Silent Scene

·The Stand Out State

·Tommy & The High Pilots

·Tyneisha Grace

·Wayne Szalinski

Tickets for the "Grammy Gig of a Lifetime" concert are currently on sale via AXS at www.axs.com/grammygigofalifetime. All proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the Grammy Museum's education initiatives.

The winner's performance will also be available to fans around the globe on-demand via CBS.com, grammy.com and the Grammy Live mobile apps when Grammy Live kicks off Jan. 26.