Congratulations to Malaysian guitarist Wan Noorazifee, who has been selected as one of the Top 20 finalists in Round 1 of the NUX NeXt Global Guitar Contest 2026.
Wan was the only Malaysian entrant named in the official Round 1 Top 20 list, placing him among guitarists selected from submissions around the world. The finalists are listed alphabetically and do not represent their individual rankings or scores.
This achievement is an exciting moment for Malaysia’s guitar community and highlights the musical talent and creativity of local musicians on an international platform.
Wan Noorazifee’s Round 1 Performance
Representing Kuala Lumpur, Wan Noorazifee submitted an expressive guitar performance that demonstrated his technique, creativity and musical personality.
For his competition entry, Wan used the following gear:
- GOC Materia 7 electric guitar
- NUX Trident NME-5
The NUX Trident NME-5 is a modelling multi-effects unit designed for live performance, offering amplifier modelling, effects and extensive connectivity within a durable floor-based system.
His performance successfully earned the attention of the international judging panel and secured his position among the 20 highest-scoring Round 1 contestants.
Recognition for the Top 20 Finalists
Each Round 1 Top 20 finalist will receive a NUX 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Horseman pedal and an anniversary merchandise pack containing items such as a T-shirt, guitar picks and stickers.
The Top 20 finalists will also continue competing for the main prizes in Round 2, where their new performances will be evaluated by a panel of NUX featured artists.
We congratulate Wan Noorazifee on this international achievement and wish him the very best as he continues into the next stage of the competition.
What Is the NUX NeXt Global Guitar Contest?
The NUX NeXt Global Guitar Contest 2026 is a worldwide competition organised as part of NUX’s 20th-anniversary celebration.
The contest was created to discover guitarists with authentic musical expression, creativity and an individual voice. It is open to guitar players of all ages, experience levels and nationalities.
For Round 1, participants were required to create an original or improvised guitar performance over Backing Track A by Igor Paspalj. Entries were assessed according to four main criteria:
- Technique
- Musicality and creativity
- Stage presence and expression
- Video production quality
Participants could also receive five bonus points when a NUX product was clearly visible in their video.
Missed Round 1? You Can Still Join Round 2
Guitarists who did not participate in or qualify through Round 1 can still submit a new entry for Round 2, which runs from 1 to 31 July 2026.
Round 2 is open worldwide to all ages and skill levels. Participants must record an approximately 90-second original or improvised performance using Backing Track B by Rob Chapman, include the official NUX watermark and use the required hashtags when uploading their video.
New Round 2 entrants cannot compete for the overall Top 3 positions, which are reserved for the Round 1 Top 20 finalists. However, they are eligible for one of the five Judges’ Choice Awards, with each winner receiving a NUX Amp Academy Stomp.
Prizes for the NUX NeXt Global Guitar Contest
The overall Grand Champion will receive:
- A trip to Music China 2026 covered by NUX
- An opportunity to perform live at Music China 2026 in Shanghai
- A NUX MG-50Li, B-8 and B-7PRO
- The opportunity to become a NUX Artist
The second-place winner will receive a NUX MG-50Li, B-8 and B-7PRO, while the third-place winner will receive a NUX MG-50Li and AXON 3 studio-monitor system. Five Judges’ Choice winners will each receive a NUX Amp Academy Stomp.
The final Top 3 and Judges’ Choice Award results are scheduled to be announced on 15 August 2026, while the Grand Champion is scheduled to perform at Music China from 28 to 31 October 2026.
Celebrating Malaysian Guitar Talent
Wan Noorazifee’s place in the Round 1 Top 20 is a proud achievement for Malaysia and an encouraging example for other local guitarists.
His result shows that Malaysian musicians have the creativity, ability and musical character to stand alongside talented players from around the world.
Congratulations once again to Wan Noorazifee, the only Malaysian selected for the NUX NeXt Global Guitar Contest 2026 Round 1 Top 20. We look forward to seeing his Round 2 performance and wish him every success in the next stage.