Emerging acts from across the North East are being given the chance to take to the stage with some of music’s biggest names at Sunniside Live.
This year, event organisers Helen Davies and Sean Maddison are appealing for up-and-coming acts from across the North East to join the line-up by hosting a Battle of the Bands Competition.
Entries will open to solo performers and bands of all genres, featuring up to eight members, on Wednesday, June 1.
All participants must be at least 14 years old and able to play their own instruments.
The event, which is Sunderland’s only city centre music festival, returns on Saturday, July 16.
The Brand New Heavies will be headlining with many more of the region’s music artists performing, including special guests Alison Limerick and Shola Ama and North East groups Smoove & Turrell, Picnic, DJ Deja Brew and the Juggernaut Love Band.
Submissions must include a video clip of a previous performance and be submitted by Sunday, June 26.
The best submissions will then be uploaded to Sunniside Live’s Facebook page, where a public vote will run from June 27 to July 3 to select the top three acts.
The three finalists will perform at the live final at Bar Justice, Sunderland on Friday, July 8, performing in front of an appointed judging panel and public audience.
On July 16, the overall winner will open Sunniside Live.
Event organiser Helen Davies, who also runs Bar Justice and Gin & Bear It in Sunderland, said: “This is an opportunity for up-and-coming acts from across the North East to hit the stage in front of more than 4000 music lovers and share the bill with some of the industry’s finest artists.
“We’re hoping to see entries from right across the musical spectrum and can’t wait to see what talent this region has in store.”
Entry to Battle of the Bands is free.
Application forms will be available to download at www.sunnisidelive.co.uk, to collect from Bar Justice, West Sunniside, Sunderland, or via email on info@sunnisidelive.co.uk.
Sunniside Live 2016 will run from 12pm until 10pm, with tickets priced at £10 each.
If you would like to attend the event tickets are available online here or in person at Gin & Bear It, 200 High Street West, Sunderland or Bar Justice, 47 West Sunniside, Sunderland.