Held at The Junction every Wednesday in March, this band competition is one of the most prestigious in the area. The winning band will receive a cash prize of £1000, the runners up will receive £400.

The bands will be judged by a panel of music industry professionals on their song-writing, musicianship and ‘sign-ability' - in other words whether the judges think they can make a career out of music and sign that all important recording contract.

Local sponsors have also donated even more prizes this year:

* SRT are offering a 4 hour mastering session for the winner and a 2 hour mastering session for the runner up. SRT are also offering a special band competition rate for CD duplication packages.

* The Vertical Rooms have announced ‘The Vertical Prize for the Best Song' - record one song at Vertical Rooms with producer Pete Bear.

* The Quite Great PR Prize for The Band Most Likely to... - the PR company will pick their favourite band for a consultancy session and publicity makeover.

* The Lodestar Prize for best live band - a slot at Cambridge's new three-day festival to be held on 31 Aug to 2 Sept.

Plus, of course, there'll still be the audience vote in each heat, where Red Stripe will provide the prize for the band that elicits the biggest ‘Beer Cheer'.

THE LINE UP:

Weds 7 March
Six Ways From Sunday
Hekz
Kill the DJ
Anti Social Burn Outs

Weds 14 March
Bomb Factory
Fugazirum
Kyla Bowen-la Grange
Me Against the World

Weds 21 March
Under The Streetlamp
Flamboyant Bella
Fingersmith
After 4

Weds 28 March
Space Cadet
The Hot Bang
Linda's Nephew
Solvent

The Grand Final will be on Wednesday 4 April with the winners of each heat plus the audience vote winner.

Last year's Band Competition saw the first ever three-way tie, with The Alex Harris Band eventually emerging as winners over Symbo and the Beards, but there was barely a hair's breadth between them.

2004 Winners, Lounge, underwent a name change and re-emerged in 2005 as New World Record. They have now secured a management deal with Heavenly management and look set for great things. Their storming show at this year's ‘In The City' music industry bash in Manchester was really well received and we wait with baited breath to hear if they are going to get the elusive record deal that their music deserves.

Tickets are £5 per event or £15 for a season ticket to all 4 heats and final. If you buy a ticket for a heat, you'll get a FREE ticket for the final. Ring the Junction Box Office on 01223 511511 for details, or see individual listings on these pages.

Writer: The Junction