IRVINE, Calif., June 25, 2013 – Today, Taco Bell® announced the next lineup of Feed the Beat® artists!

A new group of 100 up-and-coming #FeedTheBeat artists join the more than 600 alumni to experience the brand’s support and continually expanding program. As these artists and their audiences embody the spirit of Live Más, Taco Bell looks to reach new heights in helping connect the bands with fans and Taco Bell fans with bands.

Feed the Beat support comes in the form of feeding touring musicians with $500 in Taco Bell gift cards – which is how the program began in 2005 – but more importantly, the brand’s passion for supporting artists and artist discovery does not stop there. The Feed the Beat program boosts exposure for various artists by giving them a stage at events around the country, featuring their music in national television commercials, and providing a connection to Taco Bell’s social presence including an active @TacoBell following – with more than 500,000 Twitter followers – and 10 million Facebook fans.

Taco Bell continues to look to Feed the Beat artists to provide the soundtrack for many of Taco Bell’s commercials – which more than 240 million people see at least once a week. Alumni artists Passion Pit, little hurricane, New Politics and Hacienda have seen the positive impact of their music featured in Taco Bell commercials, further connecting these artists to the brand’s audience.

“The program provides us with amazing exposure, like having our song featured in a Taco Bell commercial,' said lead singer, David Boyd from alumni Feed the Beat band New Politics. 'As a band just starting out and touring, it can get pricey eating on the road so being part of Feed the Beat and eating for free at Taco Bell is awesome. This new lineup is lucky because, let's face it, who doesn't love Taco Bell.”

At this year’s South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals, new Feed the Beat artist Wildcat! Wildcat! opened for alumni artist Passion Pit before a packed crowd. The performance will be the focus of a #FeedTheBeat Rockumentary by acclaimed Director Sam Jones, expected to debut later this year and give a behind the scenes look at each band’s road toward success.

“We love how Feed the Beat paired a well recognized band from a major label with a new band from an independent label to show contrasting experiences at SXSW,” said Jesse Taylor, lead singer of Wildcat! Wildcat!. “The concept of the film and that Sam Jones is the director is truly indicative of how in tune Taco Bell is with today's musical culture. We’re excited to be a part of the new Feed the Beat lineup.”

As for Taco Bell, one of the ways it supports its tagline Live Más is through artist support and music discovery. Taco Bell not only sees itself as a fan of a variety of music but understands that its fans love music and being the first to discover artists, so Feed the Beat is simply giving consumers access to what they are passionate about.

“Taco Bell’s Feed the Beat program has emerged as one of the premier brand partnerships in the music space,” said Brian Nolan, Senior Director at Columbia Records Creative Agency. “From licensing songs in Taco Bell commercials to a cutting edge documentary, we have seen first-hand how the program can play a critical role in breaking our artists. We look forward to continuing to expand this relationship with this year’s crop of Feed the Beat artists.”

The Feed the Beat program has already supported more than 600 artists and will continue to find new ways to further connecting these bands with both fans and food. Fans can check out FeedtheBeat.com for more information. The latest full lineup includes:

About Taco Bell’s Feed the Beat Program

Feed the Beat® began in 2005 as an organic effort to help feed up-and-coming artists on tour by giving them Taco Bell® gift cards. The program continues with the same organic roots, still giving Feed the Beat artists Taco Bell gift cards, but has since expanded with innovative ways to leverage the brand’s relationships with network partners and sponsorships, involve Taco Bell’s strong online presence – a crowd of more than ten million fans, and feature Feed the Beat artists’ music in the brand’s commercials.

To be eligible, artists need to have a fan base, be on tour during the fall and have a dedicated Web page. The online submission form and additional details on the selection process are available on www.FeedtheBeat.com. Feed The Beat alumni include Passion Pit, fun., Young The Giant, Walk The Moon, Andrew W.K., Gym Class Heroes, Dr. Dog, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Delta Spirit, Portugal. The Man, Best Coast, Ra Ra Riot, and more.